New Photos of the "Cauto Puppy" Suggest It Might Be Alive

The organization Animal Welfare Cuba (BAC-Habana) recently shared images on their social media platforms that may indicate the "Cauto puppy" is still living.

These images were originally shared by a profile named Yenier, associated with official media in Bayamo. Yenier claimed that the "puppy is alive" and "with its owner," but failed to provide verifiable details such as location or date, according to a Facebook post by BAC.

Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the independent animal welfare group believes, after analyzing the photos, that there is a strong likelihood it is the same dog.

The dog appears somewhat thinner, with duller fur and an evident look of neglect, potentially due to the passage of time or a different environment," stated the post.

However, BAC emphasized that “despite the apparent similarity, it has not been confirmed who the person in the images is, nor if they are indeed the dog's owner. There is also no clear information regarding where the photos were taken or the current condition of the animal.”

"Our stance remains unchanged: we advocate for transparency, rigor, and responsibility. We neither confirm nor deny anything definitively without verifiable evidence," they added, while urging anyone with confirmed information about the case to come forward.

This week, BAC became the target of a media attack by the pro-government program Con Filo, aired on Cuban Television, following their demands regarding the abandoned dog during evacuations in Granma province.

"Last night, the program Con Filo, hosted by Gabriela, devoted an entire segment to publicly attacking us," the group posted on Facebook. "Using a manipulative tone, we were portrayed to the entire country as part of the counter-revolution, suggesting our actions serve interests beyond animal protection."

The group, which has spearheaded the national campaign for the rescue of the so-called Cauto or Bayamo puppy, reiterated that their demands are for transparency, not propaganda. "We emphasize that until the animal is shown alive and in safe conditions, our doubts and demands persist. We are not asking for propaganda; we are asking for the truth."

The origins of the "Bayamo puppy" case trace back to an official media outlet, CMKX Radio Bayamo, which shared images of the dog left behind during evacuations for Hurricane Melissa. The article, titled "The Pain of Departure," sparked outrage on social media due to its poetic tone, which many perceived as romanticizing animal abandonment.

Amid this controversy, BAC-Habana issued a national call demanding proof of life for the animal and offered to cover all costs for its rescue, veterinary care, and transport. "This is not just another post. It's the cry of a puppy left alone, looking up at the sky where its friend went," the organization wrote on its profile. The campaign, encouraging users to fill social media with the puppy's image, became a symbol of civic empathy during Granma's evacuations.

The case ignited a broad national debate. Activist Manuel Viera questioned on Facebook the priorities of Cuban society, contrasting the outrage over the dog with the silence on political prisoners. His post divided opinions and received a response from BAC-Habana, urging not to divide the movement and to maintain respect. The exchange reignited discussions on empathy and rights on the island, leading to intense social media debates.

Soon after, former spy René González criticized the outpouring of empathy towards the dog, comparing it to the media coverage of the Iraq war. His remarks coincided with an official media offensive attempting to downplay public outrage. BAC-Habana responded, “We regret that figures with such reach prefer to distort a legitimate cause rather than acknowledge the importance of empathy,” stressing that “our cause does not seek prominence; it seeks coherence. It doesn't aim to compete with human suffering but to remember that compassion is not measured by species,” as explained by the organization following González's statements.

The animal welfare group insisted that the issue is not political but about sensitivity and social responsibility. "These attacks only strengthen our conviction that empathy should not be criminalized," concluded BAC-Habana.