Police in Regional Division #3 have impounded three donkeys which were removed from along the West Coast Demerara Public Road, according to Regional Commander Errol Watts, who has said they are being given proper care.
When contacted about the treatment of the animals, which are being kept at the Den Amstel Police Station’s animal pound, Watts explained that the police in Region Three received several complaints of the animals roaming along the roadway. As a result, ranks on Wednesday impounded the animals. Watts told this newspaper that the animals were found at Windsor Forest, creating a traffic hazard. They were also reportedly uprooting plants that were planted during an initiative led by the President.
“We were forced to act on the complaint as we are legally allowed to do,” he said before adding that the three unbranded donkeys were picked up and taken to the pound.
According to the Commander, the pound has shelter, light and the animals are being given grass and water. He further noted that the pound was renovated in 2021 and is in a state to ensure the animals held there are well kept.
Watts said that he was concerned that persons have been saying that the animals are not being kept in proper conditions as he maintained that he would not have the animals kept in any conditions that are dangerous or that could put their health at risk. He mentioned on to explain that one of the donkeys had a bruised hoof when the police picked it up. He said that the government vet has since checked the animal and has declared it to be healthy.
Watts told this newspaper that he was able to meet with two animal rights activists’ teams in the country. He said that the police asked that these activists catch 15 other donkeys that have been roaming around without an owner.
But according to the Tails of Hope Animal Rescue Foundation’s Vice-President, Melissa Ram-deen, the organisation cannot pick up cattle without the owner. She said that the procedure is that they can buy the animal from the owner if the animal is not being treated well. The police have the authority to intervene also, she explain-ed, before adding that the activists are always willing to work with the police to rescue animals that are being ill-treated.
Ramdeen told this newspaper that the her team visited the police and met with the commander who explained that because the animals are in the pound, they will have to remain for 90 days before they can be released. During this time the owner of the animals could claim the animals.
But, Ramdeen said, it was the organisation’s hope that the animals would be released and handed over to it to be kept at its facility. She further said that there was concern about the treatment of the animals and that during her visit it was noted that one of the animals had an injury. She further explain-ed that the animal rights activists are trained to handle these animals. But after being informed that the police had a vet visit the animal, she said that it was reassuring that the animals were in good care.
Both Watts and Ramdeen, said that the police and the activists have worked together in the past and are open to working together in the future to remove stray animals from the roadways.
