Savagery to Strays

Savagery to Strays / Fernando Damaso
Posted on July 23, 2013


In Cuba, although before there was, currently their appears to be no
effective organization to protect animals, although there is talk of
one, Aniplant (Society for the Protection of Animals and Plants), which
doesn't appear in any telephone directly, and whose activity is so
non-existent it lacks a presence and activism.

The outrages committed daily, mainly against dogs and cats, caused anger
and pain to sensitive citizens in the face of their helplessness to
avoid them. The so-called stray dogs and cats that roam our towns and
cities trying to survive — many of them abandoned to their fate by their
original owners, who use them as pets when they are young and then when
they grow up and require responsibility dispose of them like a useless
old shoe — are the objects of absurd beatings, tortures and even acts of
vandalism that kill them, as denounced on Tuesday the 15th in the Rebel
Youth newspaper under the title "Diary of death and kindness," without
the authorities of public order, or any other, taking action on the
matter, nor those responsible being prosecuted.

This reality, palpable at any time in the streets of our neighborhoods,
shows the citizen ignorance that exists, regardless of the vaunted but
very questionable education we are said to possess, which seems to leave
much to be desired and be more bark than bite, considering the serious
problems in education for years now.

Oddly enough, it is precisely the youngest (teens and even children) who
are involved in these inhumane acts, with the complicity or indolent
gaze of adults, which, rather than stop them and get their attention,
often to find it funny or participate in it.

Among the many evils present, dozens of them denounced recently by the
highest political authority, the lack of animal protection, with
institutions and laws that safeguard the street stray, is one more,
which must not be allowed not to escape our attention, if we live in a
civilized society.

20 July 2013

Source: "Savagery to Strays / Fernando Damaso | Translating Cuba" -
http://translatingcuba.com/savagery-to-strays-fernando-damaso/