The Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) is calling on all conscientious citizens to report all instances of animal fighting to the police.
The GSPCA, in a press release, referred to the Stabroek News edition of February 10, 2011, which carried a story about a businessman being charged for discharging a loaded firearm at a cock-fighting pit. The story stated that the incident occurred at a Dennis Street, Sophia location.
The GSPCA said it would like citizens to know that the laws of Guyana clearly state that “any person who shall cause, procure or assist in the fighting of animals or shall keep, use or manage or assist in the management of any premises or place for that purpose of animal fighting, shall be guilty of an offence of cruelty and liable to a fine of between $7,500 and $15,000 and imprisonment for six months.”
The society also lamented that no one appears to have noticed that the alleged discharge of the firearm was not the only crime committed. “This may be a sad reflection on the fact that this cruel act of causing animals to fight for pleasure or profit, be these dogs, fowls or other animals, is so accepted in Guyana that few citizens realise that it is against our laws,” the GSPCA observed.
