Dear Editor,
Please permit the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) to comment on the fatal stabbing of a young man during an argument over a bet on a dog fight (as reported in Kaieteur News of 27th May, 2013). The Executive Committee of the GSPCA extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved family.
The ‘sport’ of dog-fighting is one of the most brutal, senseless and inhumane acts. Over the years, the GSPCA has received many reports about dog fights in progress by citizens who are too terrified to provide their names or to make a proper report, because of the kind of people involved in promoting and executing the dog fights – for “fun,” or as commercial undertakings. Such reports are more in the form of ‘tip offs.’
It should be remembered that on several occasions the GSPCA has written about these crimes. Relative to the most recent incident, we learn in the Stabroek News of 28th May, 2013 that the “dogfighting promoter” was previously charged with animal cruelty. The Society is most anxious to learn about the details of this charge and the ensuing legal action. The Society can’t help but wonder that if sterner action had been taken by the police and the judiciary—enough to deter this person from promoting dogfighting—whether the deceased young man would be alive today.
Editor, the time has come to stop this cruelty. Those charged with enforcing the law must now send a message that dog-fighting is a criminal offence which the Guyana Police Force will take seriously and deal with sternly.
We need to let the public know that dog-fighting will not be condoned, that citizens can lodge reports about dog-fighting without fearing for their lives; and moreover, that the Guyana Police Force will take serious actions against perpetrators. The very moral fibre of our society can be improved if these messages are delivered with impact.
The GSPCA has been in contact with the office of the Attorney General relative to the establishment of special court to deal speedily with issues concerning cruelty to animals, gender and child abuse, and of environmental damage. Meanwhile, concerned citizens can report such atrocities as dog-fighting to the Quick Response Unit: 225-6411 or the GSPCA on 226-4237.
Yours faithfully,
Oliver Insanally
Dr Steve Surujbally
Robin Sivanand
Jennifer Falconer-Majeed
Dr Nicholas Waldron
Dominique Ahmad
Laleta Sivanand
The Executive Committee of the GSPCA