Activists protest alleged killing of earthquake-rescued dog in Venezuela

Animal rights activists gathered Saturday in Lídice, Caracas, outside the home of a man identified as Raulín, accused of murdering Mariposa, a dog rescued from earthquake debris in La Guaira. Neighbors reported that the man has fled the area and has not been seen since the accusation.

The protest followed an earlier demonstration on Avenida Urdaneta, where activists, including animal protectors and other citizens, held a vigil demanding justice for Mariposa. They highlighted that the dog had become a symbol of hope after her miraculous rescue from a collapsed building in Playa Grande, La Guaira, in the aftermath of the country's earthquakes.

Mariposa's story had deeply moved the nation. However, shortly after her rescue, reports emerged that she was attacked and killed with a shovel by an individual after being placed under protective care in Caracas. The protesters carried banners with Mariposa's image and messages calling for an end to impunity in animal cruelty cases in Venezuela.

The demonstration caused traffic disruptions as participants voiced their demands for justice for the slain dog.