Helpless creatures are entitled to protection by man from the cruelty of man

Jun 17, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I read the horrific, emotionally charged article on an incident that happened last week Sunday, at around midday, in Bush Lot, West Berbice.

According to the article, a gang of men chased down and killed ten dogs in the most brutal way. While there are two sides to every story, the article really tears at your heartstrings. The men used cutlass, ropes and sticks and brutally killed every dog they could find.

They even went into private yards, severing the foot of a pregnant dog in one yard before it escaped and hid in some bushes. They had no remorse, hacking off the heads of any dog they found.

Dog owners were so fearful they could only watch as those monsters slaughtered their pets. Their justification for this horrific act was that “some dogs killed 11 of their sheep,” so they took out their revenge on any dog they could find.

Who’s to blame for such an act? Is it the dogs, the killers of the dogs, the dog owners, or is it City and Government decision makers who fail to update the antiquated laws for dog control in Guyana?

In this country we have too many irresponsible owners of animals, especially dogs; people who don’t have fenced-in yards, who don’t bother to spay their animals, and all those who allow their animals to roam anytime, anywhere, causing frustration and fear to many home owners, farmers and the many who walk our roads and streets.

When the frustrated wish to vent their anger, they don’t attack those responsible for making our laws, or the irresponsible owners of the animals; no, they just attack the defenceless animals. A couple months ago, in New Eccles Housing Scheme, someone took out their frustration on a young foal no more than two weeks old, severely chopping it on its hind quarters. What could that foal have done to deserve such treatment?

What can we do? Some answers include making official written reports to the Police, your local NDC, and the GSPCA when you see animals mistreated. Sometimes the right policeman will follow up on such reports.

Discussing and motivating your community leaders about the problem can help bring about some longer-term solutions. If you are really committed to the cause, you can take the initiative when you see stray animals and catch and send them to the GSPCA.

The best solution over the long term, however, is to lobby with friends, neighbours and decision makers to get Parliament to pass an updated law with teeth that forces dog and animal owners to be responsible owners.

“I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man” — Mahatma Gandhi.
Syeada Manbodh