Last Monday, a beautiful life ended tragically. Trudy De Haarte was more than the woman who walked in the Brickdam Police Station and ended her life with the stun gun she had used when rescuing countless dogs and other animals; she had a passion for this work.
De Haarte was a mother and also an inspector with Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA). Today, I am using this space to have this woman of substance remembered not as someone who ended her life at the country’s most popular police station, but as a woman, who loved and lived; a woman who cared for her fellow human beings and for voiceless animals.
Below is a tribute from the GSPCA.
“When Trudy De Haarte joined the GSPCA as a Trainee Animal Inspector in 2016, no one could imagine what an impact she would have. Trudy’s determination to succeed and her genuine desire to help animals in whatever way she could were the driving forces behind her many significant accomplishments while at the GSPCA.
“This determination and drive pushed Trudy to learn the many tasks and responsibilities quite quickly as this was a new field of work that she was embarking upon. You could count on Trudy always showing up for work on time and her willingness to work late if called upon.
“When people love their jobs, it reflects in their performance, and Trudy’s personal commitment to each case of animal cruelty that she worked on is testimony to her character. She would often times risk being harmed in order to prevent animals from being treated cruelly. She rescued many animals from abusive homes on countless occasions. Trudy could be called upon at any time for assistance if an animal was in distress. Most people will remember her presence as part of the Society’s vaccination outreach around the country.
“Trudy was also at the forefront of the GSPCA’s many spay and neuter campaigns over the years. Whenever she was not required to be on the road during these campaigns, she always willingly assisted around the office in whatever way she could.
“Being an animal inspector is not an easy job. Trudy would see the worst of human nature in terms of how cruelly we humans can treat animals. Yet she handled the most terrible situations with care and purpose. She often got frustrated at the many challenges that animal welfare organisations face when it comes to putting animal abusers behind bars or making them accountable for their actions. Despite these challenges, she never stopped trying. We know that one of her biggest regrets would be not having more animal abusers prosecuted.
“Since Trudy’s tragic passing, hundreds of tributes have flowed on social media from those whose lives Trudy touched in some way and made better. It may have been a bit of caring
advice or it may have been a lot more. Either way, she made a lasting impression. We remember Trudy for her big heart and willingness to go beyond the call of duty to help animals. Her passing leaves a void in the GSPCA. We have lost a true and brave foot solider in the fight against animal cruelty. We will not forget her.”
Well-known animal rights’ activist Syeada Manbodh had this to say on her Facebook page hours after she learnt of her colleague’s death: “I was heartbroken to hear the sad news about the death of Trudy DeHaarte. I had the good luck to work with her for over 5 years. She was very committed to animal welfare and carried out her work as an animal inspector effectively. I admired Trudy’s no-nonsense way of dealing with animal abusers. My sympathy goes out to her husband and 2 boys and her GSPCA family.”
Manbodh later told me that her colleague had a way with words which she used to ensure those who were being cruel to animals were scared and as a result changed their ways.
“She would tell them about being placed on the bench and the police, she just had a way with words. Sometimes after she was finished people would message us and tell us how the owner was treating the dog better and they are walking the dog…,” Manbodh said with laughter.
She recalled her colleague being very dedicated to her work and that is how she wants her to be remembered.
Tails of Hope said on Facebook: “Today, Tails of Hope family has been shocked to learn of the passing of Ms Trudy.
“We are in mourning and it is hard on the members to accept the death of Trudy. A friend, a sister, a mother, a colleague and a fighter for animals’ rights, is no more.
“To say we are shocked is an understatement and we are unable to make a tribute at the moment, due to our shock, but soon we will honour you, Ms Trudy.
“Our most profound condolences to her family, friends and staff at the GSPCA.
And from Paws for a Cause: “Today, we were shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Trudy DeHaarte. Many of us knew her personally as she was employed at the GSPCA and was a constant source of support and assistance to many of the cruelty cases we received. While we can only speculate on what was happening in her personal life and internally, we know that Trudy’s capacity for empathy to animals was one of a kind. She will be missed by those of us in the animal welfare community.”
From a friend: “The first time I met her I was a volunteer for Paws for A Cause. Afterwards, we met again at a seminar that was held at Brandsville Hotel, where Dave showed us how to trap animals using the equipment. From that day we became good friends. Every time I go to GSPCA for spay and neuter campaigns we would always make rough jokes, talk craziness, drink XL energy drink (which Trudy loved by the way) and be there for the animals. Trudy really loved her job and was very hardworking. Every time I called for her, she would say, ‘Nicole the only time you does call me is for a horse issue’, and I would laugh and say, no, it’s something different. What I loved the most about her was that she was a straight-up person. She would tell you as it is. When I started working every morning we would pass each other on the road, she would blow the horn and smile. This morning’s news shook me up. I will miss her whenever we have campaigns and vaccination drives. She loved her animals very much. There are so many things I can talk about her, but I will keep them as memories. RIP Trudy. My sincere condolences to her entire family and to the GSPCA team.”
Trudy De Haarte lived, loved and she was loved. Let’s remember her work on this earth.
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