Chiquitica, Dog Who Sailed From Cuba Last Month, Hit by Car

People and, well, occasionally animals come to America from all over the world in search of a better life. Yet, for all the success stories of people who manage to grab a piece of the American dream, there's an occasional tragedy. Such is the sad case of Chiquitica, the Cuban dog. 

Chiquitica made headlines last month when, along with 11 men and a teenage girl, she arrived right on the shores of South Beach in a boat after traveling for six days from Cuba. With her owners, she fled the central Cuban province of Villa Clara and got lost at sea for part of the journey. However, the party arrived right on prime beach real estate in front of the Ritz-Carlton, Delano, and Surfcomber hotels. 

The group was greeted with cheers from locals. 

"You guys made it, bro," shouted one Miamian upon the arrival. 

The medium-sized mutt leaped from the boat with her owners and placed her paws on American soil for the first time. 

There isn't an official policy regarding what to do with a dog that has arrived from Cuba, but local officials handed the pup over to a veterinarian. Miami-Dade Animal Services paid for registration and vaccination, and the dog was allowed to spend her quarantine period with her newly arrived family. 

However, according to Local 10, tragedy struck when Chiquitica escaped her new home last week and was hit by a car. A sad victim of Miami's busy streets and inattentive drivers. 

Please always keep your eyes peeled when you're behind the wheel. You never know when a canine that happens to be a symbol of freedom may dart in front of your path.