Dangerous Dog Act In Trinidad And Tobago

[LadyDeath]

THIS IS MY VIEW .. WHAT'S YOURS


Today I am outraged about the Dangerous Dog Act that is going to be established on August 1st because it is not properly revised and more effort should be put into this Act to make it fair and just for the dog owners and non-dog owners of Trinidad and Tobago.
First of all a dangerous dog can be defined as a dog who have the ability to inflict injury or death upon humans or any living creature.
I am stating the obvious quoted by the Trinidad Express which stated that "owner of every dangerous dog must have insurance in the sum of at least $250,000 for each dog" and “failure to acquire the $500 license means that the person has committed the summary offence of keeping or owning an unlicensed dangerous dog, for which there is a penalty of a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for one year.”
While I understand the pleading views of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to put this law in effect what about the good dogs of society? What about the well-trained family loving dogs that are properly socialized and are grown up with love and care and the only thing they harm are their chewable bones that come from pet stores!
Our country is so backward, that people in our society today that think that all dogs with teeth and are taller than an pumpek are considered "bad and vicious”, and do not take the time to educate themselves that dogs are like children, when properly trained in manners, socialized properly, shown love and affection; these dogs are wonderful, loyal and gentle with others. However, when beaten, left alone in a kennel and are not socialized or shown love, these dogs are vicious and have the potential to harm others.
Around the world Fila Brazilieros, Pitbulls and Japanese Torsas are great family dogs to raise around children and protect families from intruders. In Trinidad and Tobago we have seen the rise of German shepherd, Pitbull, Pitbull Mix also the Common Dog attacks that have left our citizens scarred for life and due to this,have left a negitive stigma upon all dogs in society. Have we seen any incidence of Fila Brazilero or A Japanese Torsa attack?
Why are there only three categories? German Shepherds and Rotwilders are also banned in countries that are ranked with the Pitbulls and Torsas and in our county we have seen what German Shepherds Dogs can do in the case of the four year old boy that was mauld to death by two of them. So why is this act not properly revised or taken into consideration there are more vicious dogs that are need to be added to the list.
Moreover, in our economy today many citizens do not even have 500 to license our dogs much less insure a dog of 250, 000! Even if our dogs are registered they should at least be interviewed by the borough or state or have proof that they are not categorized as a dangerous dog or are a potential threat in the near future. In doing this, many breeds would not be adandoned by their owners because of maintanence and fear, dangerous dogs would be found and owners would be properly fined and also there would not be a stigma upon them.
Dogs in Trinidad are not recognized for the amazing creatures they are and in our country today we do not have the proper medical facilities or even to train them because our citizens simply don’t understand dogs , as they are often beaten or pelted with stones when they come around us looking hungrily for food or affection from strangers. They are very smart, intelligent beings and have feelings too that deserved to be considered carefully and not targeted!
As we claim to be a “developed country”, establishing a Dangrous Dog Act is not the only step , however, more animal shelters and medical facilities should be put into place to insure the health and well being of our dogs. More job opportunities should also be created for those in the vetenerian fields and establish equal and just grounds for dog owners and citizens to be satisfied and safe.

In Trinidad and Tobago we need to change our mentality and understand that dogs need love and proper training to ensure their and our well being. Yes, dog is a man’s best friend and there are many well behaved , loyal and polite pitbulls ,Filas and Torsas out there that do not deserved to be targeted and classified as dangerous dogs . Just like humans there are mixtures of bad and good people existing in our society and so are dogs! so let’s not be inarticulate and judge them based on what we perceive them to be!

 

[Vickie]

I am against the dog Act As Well Please sign the petition here's the link

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/fight-against-tt-breed-specific-legislation/

 

[LadyDeath]

Article From One Of Our Members of the forum

THE EDITOR: “I want a world judged by character and not based on appearance” are what everyone hopes to achieve in society today, however, this should not be only applied to humans, but dogs as well.

When people look at pitbulls, Japanese Torsas and Fila Brazilieros, they are usually looking at the wrong side of the leash! In Trinidad and Tobago we are blinded by the dangerous dog attacks that have been occurring in our society today and fail to realise hatred is taught not bred!

Dogs are definitely like humans, when grown up properly taught manners, shown love and affection and also disciplined from early ages, they are the friendliest, loving pets you can let around family, friends or even babies.

In Trinidad and Tobago due to the high crime rate, many breed and adopt these dogs for protection, unknowingly by not properly training and beating these dogs, their spirits will be broken and the true monsters are unleashed. One instance is in the Enterprise Savannah one can see on seldom evenings a group of teenage boys beating pitbulls mercilessly to obey them, not knowing that they are inflicting more harm than good.

There is a negative stigma attached to these dogs due to the “bad apples”, however, they are not to blame but their owners and this is why we need to correct this situation and educate citizens of Trinidad and Tobago how to properly train and care for dogs. If the Government stated that we are reaching a developed nation then they should properly assess the Dangerous Dog Act and not target out a few breeds!

Breeds such as the German Shepherd and Rottweilers in some countries are also considered dangerous dogs, and here we have seen what these dogs can do in the case of the innocent four-year-old boy that by two German shepherd dogs. There has not been a case of A Fila Brasiliero or Japanese Torsa attack here in our country so why only focus on them and not the other recent cases that have occurred?

As a so called “developed nation” we need to ensure if we are to license our dogs, the borough or someone held responsible of doing the procedure assess our dogs to assure that they are well leashed and not considered dangerous to the public.

These three breeds that are stated boldly on the Dangerous Dog Act are wonderful beautiful creatures. Kind, loyal, gentle, intelligent are just a few words to describe how amazing they are. Just because of their strong, tall and stern appearance, it does not mean that they are all vicious and have the potential to commit any act of violence.

So to all my fellow Trinidadians, stop stigmatising these lovely breeds. Most of us in Trinidad and Tobago raise them because of their kind and loyal nature and they make loving family companions also to show off their beauty in the local dog shows. Just because there are a few bad apples in the bunch that can be compared to criminals in society today, it does not mean all dogs of these breeds are bad. I hope you change your mentalities and understand that implementing the Dangerous Dog Act is deeper than just listing three dogs and stating conditions that are going to leave dog owners no choice to euthanise or abandon their companions and best friends!

 

[madsuya]

Over 230 pit bulls and Caribbean terriers (pothounds) have been abandoned across the country since the Dangerous Dogs Act was placed under review in May. This was revealed yesterday by vice-president of Animals Alive, Jowelle De Souza, as she made an appeal to members of the public to stop abandoning their dogs.
The Animals Alive sanctuary at Ralph Narine Trace, South Oropouche is filled to capacity, with more than 400 dogs currently being kept on the compound. “We cannot take in a single dog again because the sanctuary is overfilled. We want owners to take responsibility for their dog, which need to be spayed and neutered.”
De Souza called on Government to partner with her organisation to educate the citizenry about animals. “Across the world, dogs and other pets are being used as a form of rehabilitation. Barbados is first world, so what happen to us? Why can’t we be more humane to our animals?” De Souza said.

Dangerous Dogs Act

Dogs banned are:
1) Pit bull terrier or any dog bred from a pit bull terrier
2) A Fila Brasileiro or any dog bred from a Fila Brasileiro
3) A Japanese Tosa or any dog bred from a Japanese Tosa.
However, under the Act, the Minister of Local Government is given the power to declare any other type of dog as a dangerous dog. Within three months of the Act coming into force, a person who owns a dangerous dog must have it spayed or neutered by a veterinary surgeon, register it with the Ministry of Local Government; and apply for and get an annual licence from the Municipal Corporation in the area where he or she lives.

Failure to acquire the $500 licence means that the person has committed the summary offence of keeping or owning an unlicenced dangerous dog, for which there is a penalty of a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for one year. The Act also bans the importation, breeding or sale of a dangerous dog and also prohibits a person under 18 from owning a dangerous dog. If a person cannot comply with any of the provisions of the Act, he/she must give his/her dangerous dog to the Ministry of Local Government which would then destroy it.

 

[LadyDeath]

this is shit ! bull crap i tell you ! they should have some other process in place for this act !

 

[Vickie]

Another Article on The Papers

THE EDITOR: Our country of Trinidad and Tobago has been debating the ongoing issue of the Dangerous Dog Bill; however, the government has neglected to focus on impending issues regarding the nature of dangerous dogs; what are dangerous dogs? And how does animal cruelty link to dangerous dogs?

First flaw of the Dangerous Dog Bill is that the legislation places dogs into two categories — A and B — with the dogs in Category A being considered as the more dangerous types of dogs. The dogs listed in this schedule are the Pitbull Terrier, Fila Brasilero and the Japanese Tosa and any dog which is bred from any of these breeds. Have there been any incidences of a Japanese Tosa or Fila Brasilero attack locally? These breeds are rare in our country and according to statistics the “dangerous” breeds are German Shepherds and Pitbulls. So why add rare breeds which have not proven to harm the public and neglect others such as German Shepherds, Rottweiler’s and Dobermans. There is no such thing as a dangerous dog as any dog can be raised to be dangerous.

Second flaw of the Dangerous Dog Bill is the ignorance of animal cruelty.

According to the Black’s Law Dictionary, animal cruelty can be defined as the infliction of physical pain, suffering, or death upon an animal, when not necessary for purposes of training or discipline or (in the case of death) to procure food or to release the animal from incurable suffering, but done wantonly, for mere sport, for the indulgence of a cruel and vindictive temper, or with reckless indifference to its pain.

This is proven as there have been thousands of cases in our country where animals are being tortured, living in inhumane, cramped and confined conditions causing some to be transformed into a dangerous dog.

Therefore, being chained, confined to a kennel, left without food and water and being beaten are all instances of animal cruelty.

When dogs are treated this way their survival instincts are revved and tend to retaliate against people. We have created this Bill to protect the public from dogs but what about the dogs?

They have no voice! No say! Who are going to protect them from us? One might say that dogs’ feelings are the least of our worries but this Dangerous Dog Act is putting a plaster rather than finding a permanent solution.

According to Mahatma Gandhi, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” We have not reached anywhere if we fail to realise the bigger issue at hand. A Simple solution for the government would be to create animal cruelty laws to protect our fellow animals from cruelty so in that way there will be fewer dangerous dogs. Owners can be fined if they are found to commit acts of animal cruelty and the dogs can be saved. The problem can be curbed and many non-governmental organisations would not have to rescue so many stray pitbulls that will be roaming the streets in the future. Many loving owners are forced to abandon their innocent dogs as the insurance is costly and when discussed the Attorney General simply stated that pound is making space to contain the dogs. Is this a solution? Are we simply going to discard innocent dogs?

We need to change our mentality and start thinking and acting for the betterment of humans as well as animals. We need to stop being selfish and self absorbed and stand up for our animals and lend a voice where there is none. Animal cruelty has been a significant issue in our country which is being ignored by our government. This plaster called the Dangerous Dog Bill is seriously in the need of reconsideration as humans create dangerous dogs. We raise them and therefore we are responsible. We are the problem!