Animal advocates in the province of Sancti Spíritus rescued a Dalmatian dog on Monday that had been left to fend for herself on the streets and was suffering from a transmissible venereal tumor (TVT). The ARCA Sancti Spíritus Foundation shared a video on Facebook of the rescue, revealing that the dog had been repeatedly used for breeding, as indicated by the condition of her mammary glands, before being abandoned.
TVT is a contagious cancer in dogs that spreads through direct contact, primarily affecting the genital areas but can also appear elsewhere on the body. In Cuba, this condition often leads to the abandonment of dogs due to the challenges in treating it.
In the comments, many individuals highlighted that purebred dogs are frequently exploited for breeding and the sale of their puppies. They also noted that when female dogs contract this type of tumor, they are often discarded. "It's clear how many times she was used for breeding; her mammary glands tell the story. They probably dumped her because of the TVT. After generating so much money, it was easier to get rid of her instead of investing in her treatment," commented Nau Valentinok.
Mary Isabel added, "This is why they want purebred dogs, to squeeze every last penny out of them. And then this happens. When they can't produce anymore, they're abandoned instead of being treated and cared for. Since she's no longer profitable, they discard her."
Other animal advocates mentioned that the Dalmatian requires vitamins and vincristine sulfate, the latter being a common treatment for TVT in dogs.
Outrage Over Animal Exploitation in Cuba
Recently, an animal protector criticized Cuban institutions responsible for protecting nature, expressing outrage over the promotion of red squirrel sales in Havana. In a Facebook post, Elizabeth Marela Cardoso Pérez condemned the sellers who, according to her, profit from the suffering of animals without any knowledge of their care.
Additionally, amid Cuba's economic crisis, pet theft has surged, with stolen animals being sold illegally or, in the worst cases, used as food. In July, a family who reported the theft of their two Chihuahua dogs managed to recover them after a buyer decided to return them to their rightful owners.
"We found them," said Mayrelis Garcés González on the Facebook group "SOS callejeros Cuba," sharing photos and videos of the joyful reunion between the girl and her pets.