Target: Yamila Peña Ojeda, Attorney General of Havana, Cuba
Goal: Prosecute and permanently ban from animal ownership the individual who allegedly chained a dog without shade, water, or space to move.
Residents of Havana’s Vedado district have reportedly watched a heartbreaking scene unfold day after day: a dog chained so tightly on a terrace that the animal can barely shift its weight. According to witnesses, the rope often tangles around the dog’s legs, forcing the animal to remain upright in scorching sun or driving rain with no shelter, no relief, and no companionship.
Cuban animal-welfare group Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC) shared photos and testimony indicating that this is an ongoing situation, not an isolated oversight. Article 9(d) of Cuba’s Animal Welfare Decree-Law No. 31 expressly forbids keeping an animal “tied or immobilized permanently without sufficient space to move.” Yet the dog reportedly endures severe confinement in full view of neighbors, suggesting prolonged neglect and blatant violation of the law.
Cuba’s groundbreaking decree-law will remain meaningless unless authorities act decisively. Prosecuting this case to the fullest extent—imposing fines, imprisonment, and a lifetime prohibition on owning animals—would send a powerful message that cruelty carries real consequences. Immediate intervention can also save this dog’s life and deter similar abuse across the island.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Attorney General Peña Ojeda,
Witnesses in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood have reportedly filmed and photographed a dog kept on an extremely short chain, exposed to direct sun and rain with no room even to lie down. Concerned residents state that the animal remains motionless all day, the chain often wrapped around its legs, in clear violation of Article 9(d) of Animal Welfare Decree-Law 31.
The decree-law prohibits permanent immobilization of animals without adequate space, yet this dog is reportedly denied shelter, shade, basic comfort, and social interaction. Such treatment inflicts both physical pain and psychological distress and, if confirmed, constitutes criminal cruelty. Ignoring these apparent flagrant violations undermines Cuba’s own legal protections and emboldens future offenders.
We respectfully urge your office to open a thorough investigation, seize the dog for veterinary evaluation, file all applicable charges, and pursue penalties that include substantial fines, possible imprisonment, and a permanent ban on animal ownership for the responsible party. A firm response will demonstrate that Cuba’s animal-welfare standards are more than words on paper and will help cultivate a culture of compassion and accountability.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Beyza Kaplan
