A disturbing instance of animal cruelty in Cuba has ignited outrage among animal rights advocates and numerous social media users. In the town of Mayarí, located in Holguín province, a young woman named Lourdes Elena publicly revealed the horrific death of her kitten, allegedly killed by neighbors in her apartment building. Instead of receiving justice, she now faces charges of defamation for coming forward with her story.
According to information from Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC) shared on Facebook, Lourdes Elena recently approached the Mayarí Police Station to file a complaint against those accused of throwing her pet from a third-floor balcony and subsequently beating it to death. Her plea was met with apathy. After waiting for over four hours and confronting the accused, she found herself charged with defamation.
The accusation arose when a woman named Mabel, identified as the individual who allegedly tossed the animal from her balcony, claimed to be defamed by Lourdes Elena's social media post. Consequently, the victim was treated as if she were the perpetrator.
In her heart-wrenching account, Lourdes explained that she was not home when the incident took place. Her kitten, who had never ventured out of the apartment, apparently wandered off and ended up in the alleged aggressor's home. Instead of returning the kitten, the woman hurled it from the third floor. The kitten survived the fall only to be attacked by a dog set upon it, and was ultimately beaten to death.
"My kitten even urinated blood," she recounted. "The most infuriating part is that they didn't even have the decency to face me. When I arrived, they were laughing, as if they were proud of what they had done."
What has alarmed activists and citizens alike is not just the brutality of the act but the institutional response. Despite the existence of an Animal Welfare Law in Cuba since 2021, reports of abuse are often dismissed, downplayed, or filed away without any repercussions. Even worse, those who speak out are frequently intimidated, as seen in this case.
"It's unacceptable that the guilty go unpunished while those who report are treated as criminals," lamented a BAC activist. "This situation is an affront to the animal rights community and to anyone who believes in justice."
Lourdes Elena's original post has been widely shared, with the animal rights community urging that the matter not be forgotten. Photographs, witness accounts, and calls for authorities to act swiftly and justly have circulated broadly. "Today it was this kitten," warns BAC, "tomorrow it could be any of our pets."
The story has not only moved people because of its cruelty but has also sparked a broader demand for the right to animal protection, respect, and a justice system that doesn't punish those who insist on the enforcement of the law.
Animal Rights and Legal Issues in Cuba
What prompted Lourdes Elena to make her story public?
Lourdes Elena went public with her story after her kitten was allegedly killed by neighbors, and she faced indifference from the police when seeking justice.
Why was Lourdes Elena charged with defamation?
She was charged with defamation because the woman accused of killing her kitten claimed to be defamed by Lourdes Elena's social media post.
What has been the public reaction to this incident?
The incident has sparked outrage among animal rights advocates and the public, demanding justice and highlighting flaws in the enforcement of animal protection laws in Cuba.