On 21 March, a dog was found butchered alive on Réunion Island. A petition has been launched to bring him to justice. Cruelty to animals can be particularly shocking. On 21 March 2025, in Saint-Joseph (La Réunion), a dog was the victim of a barbaric act. The little Pinscher cross dog was butchered alive. Its skin was deliberately cut off, leaving a gaping wound. Unfortunately, the animal was abandoned in this state.
The dog was found in a state of extreme suffering, wandering along the road, presumably to put an end to his ordeal. Maggots covered the wound. As he was unable to receive veterinary treatment in time, he died of his injuries.
APEBA (Association pour l’Education à la Bienveillance Animale) has launched an appeal for witnesses to find the culprits.We are looking for his owners, if he has been lost or stolen, and for any information that will help us find the people who cut him up alive and tortured him. This dog has suffered martyrdom”, says the association on its Facebook page.
Following this tragedy, a petition was also launched on the Mes Opinions website by a Reunionese citizen outraged by this crime.”I cannot remain indifferent in the face of such horror. I call on the authorities and the justice system to do everything in their power to find those who committed this unspeakable act. It is essential that serious investigations are carried out, and that the culprits are identified, tried and punished in a manner commensurate with their cruelty”, he wrote on the petition page.
The citizen is calling for action to ensure that this act is severely punished and that “justice is done”. He is also calling for concrete measures to protect animals from such mistreatment. At the time of writing, the petition had attracted 33,373 signatures.
Sadly, this is not the first time a dog has died in such agony. Recently, a man shot his neighbours’ dog 17 times before dumping her body in a ditch. As APEBA points out, cruelty to domestic animals is punishable by three years’ imprisonment and a €45,000 fine. The penalty can be increased to four years’ imprisonment and a €60,000 fine in the case of an aggravated offence. Finally, if the offence results in the death of the animal, as in the case of this dog, the perpetrator may be liable to five years’ imprisonment and a €75,000 fine.
If you have any information about this dog, please do not hesitate to contact the association on its Facebook page or at the following e-mail address: [email protected].
