On Sunday March 14, 2010, just after 5pm, a friend and I were walking on the seawall. As we approached Sheriff St. and Rupert Craig Highway we saw two young men putting up a tarpaulin over a gambling table. They had a donkey and the cart tied to a post on the parapet (close to the hwy); out of the blue one gave a karate kick to the donkey and the other dealt it several lashes with a piece of wood with a nail in it. I went over to the young men and asked why they were beating the donkey. They said the animal is wicked and bit one of them a few days ago. The sad, trapped donkey had a deep wound on his bloody back. There were no policemen in sight and I could only plead with them to be kind to him. But they seemed not to care.
Walking on the seawall is becoming a nightmare. A month ago someone abandoned a beautiful small breed dog over the seawall at high tide. She had just given birth and her face and ears were oozing with worms. As I lifted her wet frightened body onto the sea wall her smell was unbearable. I took her to my home and tried to care for her but her injuries were beyond help. I took her to the GSPCA where she was put to sleep.
As if the animal abuse is not enough, the amount of garbage piling up on our beaches is frightening. Frequently dead dogs are seen among the layers of floating debris.
I remember the good old days when I could go for a peaceful walk on the seawall and return home rejuvenated!
Yours faithfully,
Syeada Manbodh
