EDITORIAL

Avoiding Cruelty To All Living Creatures

Wednesday, May 12, 2004

The dolphins in captivity issue has stirred a maelstrom of local controversy over the past year as advocates of both sides weigh in on the merits of whether the Cayman Islands should allow such facilities here.

Animal rights activists, scientists, businesspeople and those in the tourism industry have all made their arguments known, sometimes based in fact, and sometimes based on emotion.

The whole issue is still very much open to debate, especially considering the willingness of tourists to visit swim-with-dolphin facilities around the world, and because “first world” countries like the United States continue to allow such facilities to exist within their borders.

There is no longer any debate in the civilised countries of the world, however, there is when it comes to animal cruelty of long-established household pets, particularly with regard to dogs. Although instances of cruelty to ‘man’s best friend’ still occur in every country, governments are taking a much harsher approach to enforcing animal cruelty statutes, sometimes even putting lawbreakers in jail for such offences.

Longstanding attitudes in the Cayman Islands did not support responsible dog ownership, partially because of a tendency to think of canines as outdoor animals that should be allowed to roam free, coming back ‘home’ when they were hungry.

These untended animals, coupled with the failure to have them neutered or spayed, led to packs of basically feral dogs roaming the beaches and streets of Cayman in the 80’s, sometimes attacking pets, and even tourists. The situation got so bad that the Minister of Agriculture at the time, Sir Vassel Johnson, instructed the police to deal with the matter, and they actually had to shoot some of the wild dogs.

Since that time, the Cayman Islands has progressed considerably in learning to keep dogs properly, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Humane Society.

However, Cayman still has a long way as far as countrywide responsible dog ownership, and the letter to the editor and photograph that appears elsewhere on this page prove that point.

Perhaps most saddening is the fact that such cases are not isolated. Despite laws covering animal cruelty and mandates that dogs must be leashed when on public property, infractions are widespread, and too seldom enforced.

Social change never happens overnight, and dealing with an issue like responsible dog ownership, which requires a mental alteration of traditional customs, is very difficult. Education will work in bringing about change over time, but in the meantime inexcusable cases of cruelty continue to occur.

Regardless, the Cayman Islands is no longer a small seagoing nation, but a sophisticated tourist destination and business centre that attracts residents, visitors and investors from all over the civilised world. Irresponsible and cruel dog ownership simply can no longer be tolerated here.

No matter what one’s feelings are about dogs, they are domesticated animals that now rely on human beings for survival, and they are similar to children in that regard. Just as we would not leave our children out in the full sun with no water, as a civilised country we cannot allow our residents to such things to dogs.

It is time that the Cayman Islands Animal Law is enforced by this country, and even if the penalties at first are not imposed to the maximum limits, offenders must be held accountable for instances of cruelty if the changes that must be made are going to occur at the pace they should.

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