The plight of a calf tests human morals

Dec 09, 2017 Letters

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Dear Editor,
It seems like ignoring issues affecting Berbicians is becoming an accepted pattern by those in authorities. We are being ignored about the withdrawal of the Guysuco redundancy letters; we have been ignored about economic

transformative projects; we have been ignored about the complaints about the noise nuisance and we have even been ignored about our efforts to free the impounded calf at #51 Police Station. I do hope the harrowing tale of this calf will touch the hearts of those in authority!
Despite several letters and articles appearing in the media, the relevant Government officials have become morally and legally blind. ‘They have mouths but they cannot speak, they have eyes but do not see’, says the Bible. The Good Book went on to say that on hearing, they will never understand and in seeing they will not perceive.
How can people whose stomachs are filled before they are even hungry understand the feeling of being tied and deprived of food and freedom? In Proverbs, we are told that whoever is righteous has regards for animals. So it will seem to me that those who are in authority amongst us are indeed unrighteous or else their consciousness would have been ignited and this calf freed a long time ago.
When a close look is taken at this calf, the eyes speak of pain and agony and the face is heavily streaked with the continuous flow of rivulets of tears. It is a heartbreaking sight as it hobbles on its broken leg trying to balance itself as it slowly eats the grass provided by its well-wishers. Its gratitude is evident as it lifts up its head to gaze on the face of its benefactor.
But there seems to be a lingering question in those eyes: What have I done wrong to deserve this treatment? I was just two months old when I was severely hit by an alleged drunken driver; my leg was broken, I was tied with a short rope, I received no medical attention until a good Samaritan brought a vet. I have been starved and thirsty for long periods, I have been separated from my mother and longed for her milk as I am being weaned on hunger and starvation.
“I have endured this silent terrorism by the very people who ought to have protected and care for me and it seems likely that my first birthday will be in the same condition if I do live. I know that if I had money and the right contacts I would have been freed a long time ago. I have spent the last four months watching the real criminals go free!
The authorities owe this animal an apology since the laws have provisions to deal with stray animals. No owners have surfaced therefore the calf should have been dealt with as a stray and auctioned off. Chapter 71:04 of the Laws of Guyana should be applied since no one has come forward to claim the animal and no one ever will. Moreover, according to this Act the officer in charge of the Station, who is the legal pound-keeper, can be made criminally liable under Section 12 for neglecting to feed and water the calf. He can be fined and dismissed.
Furthermore, Section 16 stipulates that the animal should be Gazetted and sold after one week. It has been nearly four months since this young calf is being illegally incarcerated.
I have read with utter disappointment that the Divisional Commander, Lindon Alves has said that the ‘calf’s file’was sent to the DPP for advice and it was returned and forwarded to the Ministry of Public Security where a decision will be made.
Some questions immediately come to mind: Was the DPP not supposed to make a recommendation based on the evidence in the file? What recommendations were made by the DPP? Is the Public Security Ministry, the department responsible to act on those recommendations and not the Police?
The Commander should have carried out his duties according to instructions by the DPP. It must be borne in mind that no one other that the calf was injured in that accident and only the car owner’s mirror was broken. Why should the calf be penalised for such a long period despite complaints made to the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals?
This animal cruelty is spreading like plague. On 6th December, two goats tied by ropes died in the compound at the Albion Police Station. Is this the definition of a ‘pound’ according to the laws of Guyana? Is a pound not supposed to be a building with facilities to make the impounded animals comfortable?
Lastly, despite being told about the plight of this calf on several occasions by various persons, the Minister of Public Security claimed that he was never told until a few days ago. However, the Minister and members of his Ministry are members of a chat group named ‘Issues and Ideas of Berbice’ which was later renamed ‘Moving Guyana Forward’ and this calf issue has been a regular feature with nearly all the members expressing disgust and deep concern for this animal, calling for its release. This matter was also raised at the recently concluded RDC meeting by Mr. Gobin Harbhajan.
I want those in authority to ponder upon this: By ignoring the show you’re ignoring the audience who put you there!
Haseef Yusuf
RDC Councillor-Region 6

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