07/11/2021
A cautionary tale, indeed. ☹️
A cautionary tale
From ZNS:
"On Friday 5th November 2021, at 10:00am defendants
Zion Douglas and Jahwise Watkins both of # 26 Sunset Sub Division appeared before Magistrate Charlton Smith in court # 2 on the following charges :
*Permitting a Ferocious Dog at Large.
* Causing Harm by Negligence.
* Unlicense Dog.
Zion Douglas pled guilty to all charges and was find $2,680.00. The amount of $500.00 from the fine, will be Compensation to the virtual complainant.
Jahwise Watkins pled not guilty and was granted bail in the amount of $2000.00 with one surietor. Case was adjourned until 25th January 2022. The dogs in the matter has been removed by Animal Control unit.
This is in connection with a matter where four pit bull dogs attacked an elderly lady earlier this week."
What the Royal Bahamas Police Force omitted and may not have realized is that Grand Bahama's Animal Control Unit could not have removed the dogs had the HSGB not agreed to take them, since they have nowhere to house animals. We had requested they obtain an owner surrender signature for the dogs as we are not equipped to house aggressive dogs, and we subsequently euthanized the three dogs (not four as reported above) with no recompense. We understand the victim is still in hospital with severe injuries and we pray she makes a full recovery.
We would like to clarify that while the dogs in this case were indeed pit bull type dogs, ANY dog can bite. This is not a dog problem, nor a particular breed problem, it's a people problem. Like any other dog, these dogs started out as innocent puppies with likely only the purest of dreams to become someone's beloved companion. Had the owners of these dogs properly trained and socialized them, and kept them safely and humanely confined, this incident would not have happened.
There are far too many people acquiring dogs for the wrong reasons, and with no knowledge or desire to socialize, train and care for them properly. They only want to breed and make money, or to make them "bad dogs" as some sort of pathetic status symbol.
The Animal Protection and Control Act of 2010 remains largely un-implemented. We urge the newly elected government to take the necessary steps to update it and bring it into action. We and our counterparts in the Bahamas' animal welfare field stand ready to assist any way we can with our resources, expertise and first hand experience. The provisions of that Act would have provided for even stiffer penalties in this case. But most importantly, if utilized properly, the Act would protect both animals and people, and reduce the chances of tragic incidents like this occurring in the future.
We also urge the government and law enforcement to begin addressing the rampant over-breeding, neglect and cruelty to animals that is occurring daily, and help make this Bahamas a kinder, safer place for animals and humans alike.
Mahatma Gandhi — 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.'
The Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources
