Latest update December 9th, 2024 2:00 AM
Dec 04, 2013 News
By Zena Henry
The ‘pit bull acceptance’ debate continues, with valid questions about the necessity of animal control legislation coming to the fore. There are essentially two pieces of legislation which speak directly to the wellbeing of animals; the Animal Health Act and the Cruelty to Animals Act. Neither of these, however, address the issue of animal control which, according to related commentators, is becoming increasingly relevant to monitor – for instance, the rise of the pit bull population.
Veterinarian Dr. Mark Pierre, who was instrumental in the recently passed Cruelty to Animals Bill, told Kaieteur News that legislation towards animal control is in the making. He said that to his knowledge the Animal Welfare Bill has already gone to Cabinet for its consideration and subsequent presentation in Parliament. However, the Animal Control draft is being designed in a way to grapple the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority which is mandated to deal with such issues, “but not in the organized way relative to strays, breeding and so on.”
Additionally, legislation related to dangerous dogs is also being drafted and that would be incorporated in another piece of animal welfare legislation. While on the issue of dangerous dogs, Dr. Pierre expressed his caution when treating pit bulls, specifically. The vet agreed that the breed can be classed amongst the world’s deadliest dogs, and opined that utmost care should be taken when handling them.
“In my 28 or 29 years of service, I have never been bitten and I don’t plan to after all this time.”
Pierre concluded, nonetheless, that persons do not have the right to be cruel and inhumane to animals. He said that currently there is legislation that speaks about the treatment and handling of animals, but it is a matter of law enforcement. There are elements of the law that speak to, among other things, pain and suffering meted out to these animals, so in the case of the pit bull attackers, they can be charged.
Executive member of the Guyana Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) Dr. Steve Surujbally told Kaieteur News that the big question about these dangerous pit bulls is “whether we want them in our country.” Dr. Surujbally asserted that pit bulls can be unpredictable and very dangerous. He said their very genes, breed and name say a lot about their savagery. He said that humans have cross-bred other dogs to produce those such as the Chihuahua, the Wolfhound among others, but the fierceness in the pit bull is extremely noticeable.
“The question is therefore, do we wish them to remain in our country…and if so, will we faze them out?”
The question was then asked about the purpose of the pit bulls, and to suggestions of security purposes, Dr. Surujbally yielded, but then enlightened that it is mainly bred for fighting, “and when the dogs rip each other apart; who do you think has to sow them back together? It is the vet. And when these matters are reported to the police, the blood and everything is washed off before the police get there.” The doctor further noted that the GSPCA would be vigilant for these cases, but even these persons are threatened with violence etc. He said in one case, a GSPCA official was threatened by a dog fight ‘operator’ about the fact that he knew the school that the official’s son attends.
“Reporting these matters can thus be a dangerous operation,” Dr Surujbally said.
He went on to say that pit bulls generally act aggressively when they feel threatened.
“For instance, a blind man with a walking stick, an injection, or anything that makes that dog uncomfortable can cause a reaction. Also the upbringing of the dog has much to do with its behaviour.” The doctor added that the recent pit bull attack on the East Coast of Demerara could have been triggered by various movements, for example if the woman had a brush in hand or was beating the clothing during the washing process.
Dr. Surujbally added that the issue of animal cruelty and control needs the total involvement of several agencies such as the Ministries of Home Affairs, Agriculture, Tourism, Health, Local Government, as well as religious, social and religious outfits.
“The police, if it is a special unit, needs to be trained in this area,” the doctor advised, before lashing out that the Guyana Veterinary Association for non-comment on the recent pit bull killings.
Dr. Surujbally said that he has been in practice for some 45 years and has dealt with many dog breeds, but maintains that caution must be exercised when dealing with pit bulls. He concluded by reiterating the question on the relevance or necessity of pit bulls in the country.
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