By: Diane Arias/Contributing Writer
Photo by Diane Arias
The rooster statue came back looking less colorful; the rooster’s captors spray-painted the body of the rooster white, which was previously decorated with the Cuban and American flag.
The disappearance of the 70-pound statue was first noted by its owner, Pablo Canton, on Sept. 16 from its home in front of El Pub Restaurant in Little Havana.
Canton, who was not available for comment as of press time, has promised not to disclose the names of the captors.
“The police of the area said they’d forgive them if they offered to pay for the rooster [to be painted and reinstalled],” said Juan Robaina, an employee of El Pub Restaurant. “It was a bad deed to take it late at night and steal it.”
The captors are not being charged for the rooster-napping, but they have consented to pay for the painting and rebolting of the rooster; they have also agreed to do community service in Little Havana.
On The Miami Herald’s website, a reader commented saying he or she had seen the rooster at a party before the University’s football game. Despite this report that potentially connects the larceny to students of the University, Canton refuses to confirm that the captors were students of the University.
In an interview with The Miami Herald, Canton said, “I am also a graduate of FIU. They are young. I do not want to create a bad image of the university or for those students who could be expelled because of an act of stupidity. They were very remorseful when they returned him.”
Some of the University’s students responded to the closure between Canton and the rooster’s captors.
“We’re so close to the street where we’re located. Honestly, I think that gives FIU students a bad name; it is college territory,” said Katie Blitfield, a sophomore, double majoring in political science and psychology. “It’s understandable that he is not disclosing their names.”
Andrea Fagueron, a junior majoring in biology, said, “I don’t think it would affect us, but that’s their responsibility and that’s their choice; they’re individuals. I don’t mind their names being out. It wouldn’t affect us.”
As for the whitened body of the rooster, it was repainted by Canton in its Cuban and American flag décor.
According to Robaina, Canton painted the rooster on the evening of Friday, Sept. 23, from 10 pm to 3 am.
Frequenting customers remembered the tourists during the period of the rooster’s disappearance.
“It [was] a shame for the tourists; they take pictures with the rooster. It’s a tradition they have with the rooster,” said Antonio, who did not disclose his last name. “It caught me by surprise. I come here every few days when I need something, but I didn’t notice [the rooster missing].”
Canton’s rooster is not the only one of its kind. There are many others, over a dozen, scattered along the street popularly known as Calle Ocho. They are a part of a project called the “Rooster Walk project.”
Despite the other roosters, people are coming to visit this rooster.
“People have returned to see it; it is part of Cuban tradition and pride in Little Havana,” said Elizabeth Caños, 44, waiter of El Pub Restaurant.
“That’s the most famous rooster of them all,” said Robaina.
Although it may never be known if the individuals who stole and returned the rooster are students of the University, Miami natives and tourists alike are happy to have the rooster back home.
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