WOODLANDS: Questions have been raised by some residents as to whether a dog found hanging from a tree close to Duberry Estate in Woodlands may be meant as a warning, and if so, to whom?
A female, wishing to be unnamed found a dog hanging from a tree on a hiking trail that goes through Duberry Estate on April 26. The Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS), the Montserrat Animal Protection Services (MAPS) and some other residents are urging members of the public who may have information related to this latest incident of animal cruelty to contact the police.
One resident who visited the scene told TMR. “The scene was gory and so sad. There was a light-coloured, mature dog hanging by its neck from a tree. It had obviously been left to die of starvation.”
This cruel incident has raised a number of questions including, “Who is in charge of this area? Was the dog hung as a warning? If so as a warning to whom? Another neighbour, a few years back, had their dog poisoned. I am not a dog lover, but I am sickened at this cruelty to animals.”
According to Deputy Commissioner Charles Thompson the Police Department is, “very concerned with this activity, as it is a criminal offence of cruelty to animals, and we are continuing our investigations.”
This is the second documented case of animal cruelty on the island in a relatively short span of time. TMR reported in a recent issue another case of a dog that according to the owner, had been deliberately poisoned and the authorities are treating these cases with the utmost urgency.
Reportedly, two representatives of the Environmental Health Department took the dog away and buried it.
“What really shocked me was the fact that the perp had thought to place beneath the dying dog a Catholic Missal (prayer book) open to the prayers said by the priest during the Consecration of the host and holy Communion. What can this mean? Is it a warning? Was the dog offered up as a sacrifice? Or was it just a random act? An afterthought?” a resident who was at the scene said.
Secretary of MAPS Sarah Holloway has disclosed that these incidents have the association’s full attention and that a group of interested parties have begun to share some ideas regarding methods of tackling animal cruelty issues. She commended the police department for their response to the incident and reiterated MAPS commitment to working with the authorities to protect animals.
Deputy Commissioner Thompson is also appealing to dog owners who may no longer wish to care for them to contact MAPS and vowed, “We will continue to do all possible to find the perpetrators and to help in educating persons on the care of these animals,” the Deputy Commissioner concluded.
