Animal Abuse in Barbados  

I live in Barbados. In late March a group of hikers found a large dog hanging from a tree who had been burnt, tortured and finally hung while still alive. One of the hikers tried to call the authorities and his complaint was met with little response or outright disinterest. It is only after some of the hikers (who had taken pics on their cells) circulated the photos and story online that a statement was issued in the newspaper expressing outrage at the incident. Our animal welfare groups have put together a petition asking the Barbados Government to enforce the Barbados Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2007. In many cases the police do not investigate incidences of animals abuse. The perpetrators who are charged pay very small fines and walk free. It is not uncommon for someone holding a grudge against you to poison your animal as revenge or people lay down poisonous insecticides and pesticides without a care to the effect on the animals. Late last year a horse was sexually molested on a pasture and had to be put down. I remember many years ago a cow was butchered on a pasture and left screaming in pain. She too had to be put down. Many dogs are left tied without food or water for days on end by uncaring owners. No one checks or prosecutes them.

There is a petition put together by the various animal rights societies in Barbados called the Enforcement of the Barbados Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2007. I am hoping that as many people as possible sign this petition and forward this and the news story to as many people as possible. This travesty of justice must stop. The petition is at: http://www.petitiononline....

The story is at www.nationnews.com/story/...