(Jamaica Gleaner) Residents of Parade Gardens in central Kingston who oversaw a dog being painted green on nomination day have insisted that the animal was not mistreated.
Their declaration came amid backlash as the video of the paint job made the rounds on social media on Tuesday.
One resident who gave his name as Joe denied claims “by uptown people” of animal cruelty.
“A water paint we put pon him. Tell dem seh dem fi take care a dem dog like how we take care a our dog,” Joe told The Gleaner.
The paint was washed off later in the afternoon. A new video was issued of Rambo eating Puppy Chow after his temporary change of colour.
“We nah violate (Do you mean Rambo? finding) so the people dem nuh affi tek it in a bad way. The greatest thing is that it nuh go inna him eye. Him not even resist. Him love it because him a Labourite. A ‘Shower’ him seh straight,” said Joe.
Another man told The Gleaner that Rambo, who loves to eat coconut flesh and mangoes, was a community dog who is friendly to everyone.
“More time, we inna di lane and him just come near we and we feed him,” the man said.
He added: “We love him just like how we love Andrew Holness.”
However, the Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association deplored the views of the residents.
“The skin of a dog is more sensitive than a human’s skin. Absorption of paints, especially metal- and oil-based paints, irritate the skin and can also lead to toxicity, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea,” said Dr Simone Johnally, public relations chairperson.
“Inhalation may result in infection and difficulty breathing.”
