Dear Editor,
Driving south on New Garden Street I spotted a horse tangled in its rope in the mall across from Prime News. I stopped and, while helping the horse, noticed a horrible smell coming from the trenches. Thinking the worst, I went to investigate and found a bag with a bloated dead dog at the side of the trench. I called the Head of the Solid Waste Department at 223-5123 – Mr Ishree.
During our conversation I could sense the frustration of Mr Ishree with what is taking place in and around our city in regard to the disregard for proper sanitation; he said that people are dumping dead animals, mainly dogs and cats, in places where it is almost impossible for his men to get to them (after all his workers are humans, not robots, and should not have to be put in such difficult situations). Some people are giving their dead animals to their employees, or to anyone who needs a couple of dollars, to dispose of. Of course, they, in turn, dump them anywhere they can as quickly as they can: in canals, trenches, garbage heaps, over the sea wall, or in someone’s vacant lot or along the side of the road.
I’ve been told that dead animals have even been found in the canals leading to the Georgetown water supply. People must be made to understand the importance of proper disposal of dead animals and the health risks of not doing so. We cannot continue to pollute our waterways. Proper disposal of your dead animals is very easy. You only need to make one phone call.
The place to call is the City’s Solid Waste Department at 223-5123. Call them any time you have a dead animal to dispose of, or even when you see dead animals on the road.
It could be very rewarding if the city council embarked on a public awareness campaign regarding dead animals.
Yours faithfully,
Syeada Manbodh