The image of a dog abandoned during evacuations The incident in the Bayamo area of ​​Granma province has sparked public debate in Cuba and beyond. The scene, captured during a flood emergency, shows the animal looking towards the helicopter as it flies away with its family.
Since then, groups and individuals have multiplied their messages asking find him aliveWhile Animal Welfare Cuba (BAC-Havana) has launched an urgent appeal to check on her condition and to take on her rescue, veterinary care and relocation if necessary.
How the case originated
The incident became known after the publication of a series of photographs and a text by CMKX Radio BayamoThe piece depicted the moment a helicopter evacuated a family, leaving their dog behind on the ground amidst mud and rubble. It was presented in a lyrical and emotionally charged style.
The context was the overflow of Cauto riverwhich forced emergency evacuations in several communities in the province of Granma. In that context, the dog was left behind and its reaction—according to the original account—moved those who witnessed the scene.
The poetic formulation of the state media, far from calming the unease, sparked criticism within hours, it was interpreted as a romanticization of abandonment in the midst of a catastrophe.
Reactions and echo on social media
Social media platforms were filled with messages expressing pain, anger, and demand for rescue for the animal. Among the most repeated comments, there were many reproaches to a decision that many see as cruel and unjustifiable, especially in an area that is still flooded.
The conversation transcended borders: Cubans in the diaspora compared the case to evacuation practices where Pets are not left behind, demanding clear protocols that take animals into account in emergencies.
The impact also reached the cultural sphere: the poet Alexis DÃaz-Pimienta He recalled his own verses to denounce what had happened, interpreted by thousands of users as an ethical warning about animal loyalty and human responsibility.
The call for Animal Welfare in Cuba
Given the lack of information, BAC-Habana launched a national campaign to obtain proof of life for the dog, coordinating with volunteers and animal rescuers in the area. The organization offered to cover all the costs of the operation, from locating the dog to the veterinary care.
In addition, BAC encouraged citizens to share the face of the so-called “dog of Bayamo"They are already using his image on social media profiles, in order to pressure for his search and prevent the case from being forgotten during the emergency."
In their statement, the group questioned the approach of the official coverage, considering that turning abandonment in the middle of a flood into lyrical prose normalizes a behavior which many categorize as abuse during a crisis.
The official press version
Meanwhile, a text in the newspaper Granma He insisted that, in an emergency of this magnitude, "the priority is to save people," while alluding to the operations in boats and helicopters and the material damage left by the floods.
That stance was interpreted by some in the audience as an indirect justification for abandoning the animal, especially since the article included an image from the same rescue in which the dog was left out, without explicit mention of the incident that sparked the controversy. public outrage.
What is known about the dog from Bayamo?
As the Cauto River gradually returns to its normal course, the question remains: where is the dog and what is its condition? Neither the authorities nor official media have confirmed its whereabouts. whereabouts or rescue, despite social pressure.
Animal shelters, rescue organizations, and volunteers in Granma have received a request from BAC to provide information and facilitate the search. The organization insists: It's not just about saving an animalbut to set a precedent against decisions that, in the midst of a calamity, may overlook the most vulnerable.
A case that began with some photos and a literary text has led to a larger debate about responsibility and empathy in emergencies: the plea to find him alive Regarding the dog from Bayamo, criticism of narratives that downplay abandonment and the demand for official answers remain at the center of the conversation.
