As debate on the Dogs Control Bill drew to a close in the House of Representatives last week, 12 malnourished, abandoned pit bulls have been rescued by Animals Alive. The emaciated and dehydrated animals were taken to the Animals Alive dog sanctuary at Ralph Narine Trace, South Oropouche. President of the group, Kathryn Cleghorn, said since debate began, dog owners were abandoning their pets all over the country, as they were afraid of hefty fines.
“Within recent times there have been a second wave of dumping of dangerous dogs. We have seen pit bulls, mastiffs, Rottweilers and other high-bred dogs being dumped. It is heart-wrenching to see these animals suffering,” Cleghorn said. Some of the animals were found wandering through abandoned canefields along country roads. Cleghorn pointed out that the Dog Control Bill was doing exactly the opposite of what Attorney General Anand Ramlogan intended.
“This legislation that Government is passing is meant to protect members of the public but it is having the opposite effect because dog owners are now dumping their animals and leaving them on the street, putting the public at risk,” Cleghorn said. She said if the bill is passed, there must be measures in place to mitigate against animal abandonment. “They need to have an interim measure for people who obviously cannot afford the fines and want to give up their dogs,” she said.
“One option is for organisations such as Animals Alive to be paid by the Government to take in the dogs. It should not be that we are taking in the dogs at our own cost because we are not the reason that the dogs are being abandoned.” She called on the Government to pass a comprehensive Pet Act which would impose fines on those who abandon their pets.
“No law should cater for the welfare of humans alone and disregard animals and that’s why we appeal for a comprehensive Pet Act where people can be charged for not taking proper care of their animals,” Cleghorn said. She said fines should be imposed on anyone who abandons a pet. She said discussions about the Pet Act have been raised at political forums but suggestions have not been accepted by the Government.
Cleghorn said there were 350 dogs and 22 cats at the sanctuary and it cost about $21,000 monthly to run the facility. “The Government does not contribute and this facility is managed using the income of the executive members of Animals Alive and three sponsors, Andromeda Technologies and Easy Shipping, and Fine Choice meats who provide meats on a monthly basis,” she said. “We need pet rice and money to cover workers’ salaries and veterinary bills.”
Anyone wanting to make contributions to Animals Alive can contact Cleghorn at 709-1151 or 653-2166.