For those of us who love nature and especially animals, I know that this long-awaited news fills us with rejoicing; the “Decree Law for Animal Welfare” was finally approved on February 26th by the State Council.
The premises set out in the document respond in one part, to the claim of so many people, including myself, during the discussion of the draft Constitution approved in 2019, where we proposed the existence of a law that would end animal abuse in a general way.
The great news is a huge step forward for a country like ours, which advocates for the care of nature, its flora and fauna. However, new questions arise such as: who will enforce this law…
In the statements of the group who draft the document, it was stated that the process still need improvements, it is subject to changes and takes into account the opinion of the public, in addition to working on the creation of a national center for animal health.
But there are doubts about the creation of a group of inspectors and a phone number to report crimes related to inhumane attitudes. I believe that without that the situation will not change much, because to the satisfaction of many; there are loving people who advocate this issue, but many others do not feel respect for animal life.
In Camagüey
I worked some time ago in the Hygiene and Epidemiology Unit and I know how it works, that is why it saddens me to see the van that picks up stray dogs, because I know that its passengers have a sad end, because they do not have an observation center and there are animals that have an owner and due to dangerous circumstances, end up being euthanized during the day, without giving time for them to be rescued.
I believe that the time to join forces and good wishes has come, so that all of us who work in small groups, in favor of “our younger siblings”, return to fight, now with a law backing us, that stops the abusers and ruthless, and thus finally have their deserved punishment.
A happy ending
On days like these, when we celebrate the good news in favor of animals, I can’t help but remember a story with a happy ending, because now there are greater possibilities of achieving them.
That is why I want to share the story of a puppy that escaped from the fateful dogcatcher van, to earn a place in the heart of a family in 2015.
The protagonist was baptized as Ricky, he jumped from the vehicle to hide in the basement of the building, there his black eyes shone in the dark, but determined not to return to the van of death, first he growled with all his might and courage, and then he hid so that no public health official could find him.
Ricky’s new home
We went there at that time: Natalí and her mother María del Carmen, who is as enthusiastic about canine issues as her daughter, and Jorge as a guide, because, once we learned about the story, we wanted to talk with Olga, her new owner, who has to share a message with everyone who sees an abandoned animal.
“I adore my homeland and all those who like me love animals, this little dog escaped a difficult situation with great courage. When I saw it, that passion for animals awakened in me, because it was so cute that it looked like his face was the work an artist, I couldn’t resist. ”
Of course, I want to touch the hearts of the people and ask them not to ignore the gaze of any abandoned animal. They need us and with that help we can achieve that a few number of animals live on the streets without a home.
Back at work I remembered the teaching of another great lover of nature: our dear and eternal Eusebio Leal, when he told us: if we all take care of at least one stray animal, surely the world would be a better place.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
