Target: Yamila Peña Ojeda, Prosecutor General of the Republic of Cuba, Havana, Cuba
Goal: File criminal charges and seek prison time plus a lifetime animal-ownership ban for the man who bludgeoned and threw a dog from a balcony.
A viral video captures a man striking a dog with a shovel, then tossing her over a second-floor railing. The animal died from this brutal assault, and the aggressor admitted on camera, “Yes, I killed her,” according to an animal-rights activist who confronted him. Despite the severity of the cruelty, officials imposed only an administrative fine of 3,000 Cuban pesos.
Witnesses and activists assert that the dog endured repeated blows before the fatal fall. The attacker showed no remorse when confronted by outraged community members. Advocates stress that such a modest penalty offers no deterrence and signals impunity for violent acts against animals.
Cuba’s Decree-Law 31/2021 was intended to protect animals, but critics say lenient fines and lack of criminal enforcement render it ineffective. Sign below to demand criminal prosecution, incarceration, counseling, and a permanent ban on keeping animals to uphold the spirit of the law and safeguard other vulnerable creatures.
PETITION LETTER:
Prosecutor General Peña Ojeda,
Footage circulating online shows a man in Mayabeque striking a dog with a shovel and then throwing her from a second-story balcony, killing her. The individual declared, “Yes, I killed her,” when confronted by animal rescuers. Yet authorities issued only a 3,000-peso fine.
We urge your office to exercise its authority under the Penal Code and Decree-Law 31/2021 to pursue criminal charges that reflect the gravity of this act. An administrative citation cannot serve as justice for an animal beaten and thrown to her death.
By seeking prison time, mandatory psychological counseling, and a lifetime ban on animal guardianship, the prosecution would send a clear message that deliberate violence toward animals will not be treated as a minor infraction. Such decisive action would honor public outrage, deter future cruelty, and reinforce Cuba’s stated commitment to animal welfare.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Santeri Viinamäki
