For Dog's Death Used As Art, No Law Broken

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear 13.7 Billion Years,

Regarding "Dog Used as Art, Tied Up, Starved to Death," (March 14), the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is aware of this situation. The artist is Costa Rican, but this exhibit happened in a Nicaraguan art gallery last October. While there is an animal cruelty law in Costa Rica, there is no such legislation in Nicaragua. Unfortunately, the artist did not break the law by mistreating this dog.

The news of the exhibit did not seem to get picked up by the Costa Rican press until about a month after it happened. Even then, there was very little coverage and it was never made clear whether the dog actually died, how long it was there or why nobody did anything if it was suffering. Following this, people around the world began protesting against Vargas, and our Costa Rica office issued a statement in response to this act. Our member society in Honduras (AHPRA) also took action and wrote a statement which was sent to the appropriate domestic authorities.

The WSPA Costa Rica office has also contacted the Ministry of Art and Culture, to urge them to consider disallowing Vargas from representing Costa Rica at the Central American Biennial, taking place this year in Honduras. They replied that since Vargas was participating at the Biennial with a different exhibit (apparently not involving a dog this time), they could not ban him from attending.

This issue is of concern to the WSPA, and it is unfortunate that this artist will be able to gain publicity through this second exhibition, despite his previous display involving mistreatment of this dog. The WSPA is completely opposed to the use of animals for entertainment purposes. Despite this, it seems that there is little more that can be done to address this issue, as we have very limited resources. We will, however, continue to monitor the situation in case further action can be taken at any time.

Ruth Morse
Supporter Liaison
World Society for the Protection of Animals