Animal Welfare Laws Passed In Cuba: A Result Of Civil Pressure From Young Animal Activists

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• After years of demands of the citizens, the Cuban Government passed the awaited animal welfare law. 
• The citizens consider this as an unusual win of the society over the communist country, in a place where animal sacrifice and animal fighting for entertainment prevail. 
• "It is better to have a minimal framework of legal protection than nothing."- Cuban independent Journalist.

INTRODUCTION

“You have to pressure, pressure,” stated the leader of the movement, Beatriz Barista stated, in light of the new legislation regarding animal welfare, passed by the Cuban Government. As a result of numerous voices of young awareness activists joining to raise awareness of animal abuse and to prevent cruelty, the Cuban Government was pressured by the Civil societal pressure to pass the decree of Animal Welfare Bill. The parliament of the nation expects the Animal Welfare Bill to come into force within ninety (90) days, and it is also due to be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic. "Cuba was one of the few countries in Latin America that didn't have an animal welfare law so to have one now is an immense joy," Fernando Gispert, President of the Havana branch of the Cuban Association of Veterinary Medicine.

FURTHER DETAILS

The purposes of this decree is to raise awareness about protection of animals, and prevent cruelty. This marks as a huge success in the country, a nation where there exists stray animals in countless numbers and chicken carcasses on the ground, a result in the name of religious sacrifices. The Agriculture Ministry mentioned that the decree regulates scientific experiments, the handling of strays, veterinarian practices- among other issues, and also responds to concerns aired in a nationwide debate over the new constitution three years ago. In a nation where public dissent is frowned upon, the younger generations decided to take up the task of raising awareness of animal welfare through marches and protests, and also various social media campaigns.
"This has set an example for all communities that want their voice to be heard," said Beatriz Batista, 23- one of the leaders of the movement. There was a rapid increase in the number of people that took initiatives to rescue and sterilize stray animals, and also clean the coasts and river beds which contained animal remains, a result of numerous sacrifices. People seemed unsatisfied with the decree that didn't prevent cock fighting, only strictly regulated it, as supporters of the same stated that cock fighting is part of the Cuban Culture.
Cuban independent journalist Monica Baro said in a widely shared Facebook post: "It is better to have a minimal framework of legal protection than nothing."

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW?

The Animal Welfare Bill asks all animal welfare organisations and state agencies to take care of animals mentally and physically while preventing all forms of animal abuse, which is fined up to 7000 pesos. Animal livestock keepers, any animals in the sports arena, and pets all fall under this decree. Owners or custodians of animals must immediately seek preventative and veterinary care for their pets. The Ministry of Agriculture stated recently in a news press that this decree will aim to “regulate the principles, duties, rules and purposes regarding the care, health and use of animals to guarantee their well-being.” However, this new legislation doesn't aim to ban any animal sacrifices, it just mandates that the sacrifices be performed in a  “compassionate and rapid manner, avoiding pain and stress.”

CONCLUSION

The voluntary action of inflicting pain, suffering or harm on animals is termed as animal cruelty. Neglect, and killing animals for entertainment also falls under the concept of animal cruelty. The infliction of these injuries on animals causes long lasting effects, mentally and physically, and it often makes them victims to more abuse. Various researches have shown that animal abuse abounds in the factory farm industry, but only the most severe and shocking cases are reported, and out of those only a few of them are ever prosecuted. Cockfighting, and dogfighting fall under the category of "organised cruelty." There are various ways to prevent animal cruelty. This legislation is a victorious decree in the eyes of the Cuban citizens against the nation's government, a nation where killing animals in the name of religious sacrifice is considered natural. Frustrated by the slow paced government ways of raising awareness of, and prevention of animal abuse, the younger generations of activists raised their voices together, marched and protested together in the hopes of getting the attention of the government. This new legislation in Cuba may not cover and prohibit all of animal abuse, but it does strictly regulate animal cruelty and sacrifices, making them quick and painless. As a journalist stated, a little to regulate is always more than nothing. Hopefully this marks the start to a better world for animals in the nation, and in the world.