V. Alfred Gray, the Cabinet Minister responsible for animal control in the country, at a fundraising event at the United States Ambassador’s residence on Saturday evening, pledged to “join the chorus” to control The Bahamas’ stray dog population.
“There are too many stray dogs on this island. They feed on the food of those who would give it to them and terrorise the neighbourhood.
I will not stop until every dog owner realises their responsibility to secure their dog in their yards on a leash,” said the Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government Minister.
Bahamas Humane Society president Betty Kenning, Sunrise Rotary Club chairman William Mills, and the Minister’s wife attended the function, hosted by U.S. Ambassador J. Richard Blankenship and his wife, veterinarian Dr. Kandra Jones.
In his remarks, Mr. Gray listed several penalties for dog owners who do not secure their pets.
In the event a “roaming dog” bites a person, and the owner can be identified, a civil suit or charges can follow, he said.
He pledged the Ministry’s support and encouraged the persons present to give generously to the Humane Society.
“My Ministry, and indeed the Government will continue so that stray dogs are history in the shortest possible time,” he said. “I believe that there are too many; it has become a nuisance.”
Mr Gray said the Ministry has a dog unit that patrols the capital daily for stray dogs. Those dogs are kept for four days until they are claimed. If no one comes forward, he said the canines are put to death.
Nassau’s perennial stray dog problem made headlines after two separate dogs attacks in Nassau and Harbour Island.
Two young girls saved a two-year-old infant from four stray dogs in Nassau. In Harbour Island 40-year-old Shannon Schneider had to undergo three surgeries after being bitten over 100 times.
Following the incident, Mrs. Schneider issued a plea to the government to deal with the stray dog problem.
In Parliament, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe described the attack on Mrs. Schneider as the “last straw,” saying that the stray dog problem was threatening tourism.
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
