I've commented numerous times in other places about this horrendous cruelty! I've written to the Costa Rica Arts people and even the galleries where his "art" is being sold, to tell them the world is watching and we DO NOT approve! And to not allow this man to be honored as he has been, or shown, or sold! He is NOT an artist! I'm not going to comment any more on this because my anger cannot be properly contained! This is WRONG & SICK! It certainly is not art!

I too have written to Costa Rica concerning this!! What a sick pathetic excuse for a human being!! Looking at the pictures of this poor malnourished living creature makes me cry huge tears of sadness. I wish I had been there to save her - I would have scooped her frail thin body right up and proctected her from being abused!! Just look at all those people standing around like nothing bad is going on at all!! Shame on all of them!! I will never forget her sad face - holding it down as if she had down something wrong!! What a sad sad sad world we live in!!! Does anyone know what became of her?

Donna, from what I've read, she died. BUT, I also have read in notices that I receive from different humane societies that there are conflicting stories about what exactly happend and they are still investigating what went on. Whatever the story, this is unexcusable! It is horrendous! And like you, I do not understand how people could just walk by and not do anything! How do those people live with themselves after just walking by and not helping? It is a sad world!

I hope this sociopath ends up in jail with a bunch of animal lovers! No punishment is harsh enough!

Also I hope everyone avoids this stupid gallery - perhaps a picket line would tell everyone about this. It's world wide news now!

guillermo vargas i am an animal lover. if i ever catch you alone, i will only need 5 minutes to show you what its like.

this scumbag, the scumbags who sponsored this, and all scumbags who attended should be starved to death.

Thanks for the info, Melody, on the possible (probable) outcome of the sweet soul shown in these sad pics!! I have to admit, if she wasnt saved and given a new wonderful life, I hope she did die - as quick and humane a death as possible!! The thought of her still being abused and starving is almost more than I can stand!!

This is the most rational and sane site I've seen. Somehow I only got word of this atrocity 2 days ago, and since then have read all I can find about it. Regardless of the ultimate fate of this poor dog, I can think of no possible endings that would be happy. My mind and emotions are totally occupied with this hideous situation.It is appalling to me that not a single agency or institution or governing individual seems willing to make Mr. Vargas pay for his crime against all things living - even if it is just to ban him from exhibiting. I shall write to Juanita Bermudez and anyone else I can think of. Wouldn't it be wonderful if several thousand people showed up at this exhibit in November to show Mr. Vargas first hand what we think of him?

Donna, I hope you see this, I had this update notice from The Humane Society on my myspace blog!

From the HSUS:
"The Honduran NGO that we have been working with has confirmed that the Biennial organizers of the Honduran gallery have agreed to ban this "artist" from the gallery. The organizers have stated that they will also include new competition rules that prohibit the abuse of animals. We are keeping close watch on the case. If new information surfaces, we will be updating our FAQ page at:

http://www.hsus.org/contact_us/humane_society_international.htmlQ_dog_artist "

That's progress! They know the world is watching!!!!!

Melody - Yes I see it, I see it! Thanks so much for letting me (and everyone) know this good news!! Yes - that is progress!! I have tears in my eyes right now thinking that we all can really make a difference!!!

This man should be not be allowed to exhibit any art in any country whatsoever and should be put in jail with no food or water so he feels how the dog felt!

blessings unto the meek.

any society and people can be best judged by how they treat their weak, their ill, and their infirmed.

Cruelty is never art in the eyes of our Beloved.

Thats sick, what sick people we have in this world.
I hope that the people who were there and did nothing to stop it one day get payback for doing such a cruel thing.

Very sad little world we live in.

That is sick. i feel sorry for that poor little being.
:'(