Newsletter
Volume 7 Number 1, June 2002
Disposable puppy?
Presentation College students Lloyd Panchoo, Akeron Campbell, and Timothy
Phillip saw a number of children standing around the garbage can near the
St. Louis R. C. School and went over to see what the commotion was about.
In the garbage bin they saw a small puppy with its front legs tied together
and its tiny body covered with maggots. The boys immediately picked up the
puppy, untied his legs and brought him to the headmaster who suggested that
they bring the puppy to the GSPCA.
The boys arrived at the GSPCA building on Lowther's Lane with the sickly
puppy they named Rogue. A veterinarian attended to the puppy and it took
St. George's University (S.G.U.) veterinary students and GSPCA volunteers
hours to remove all of the maggots. The boys visited every Friday after
school and played with the puppy until he made a full recovery.
One of the boys, Lloyd Panchoo, adopted Rogue (with his parents' permission).
Rogue owes his life to the boys who saved him from a certain, painful death
and he will return the favour by being a faithful companion to young Lloyd.
The GSPCA was not able to determine who threw the puppy into the garbage
bin but the guilty party would have been charged under Grenada's anti cruelty
laws. The GSPCA provides basic help for people who may not be able to afford
medical care for their animals. This precious puppy should not have ended
up in the garbage. Albert Schweitzer said "Anyone who has accustomed
himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger
of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives".
Justice for Blacky
Blacky was the beloved pet of Mr. Roger Strachan of Hog Island. She greeted
visitors to the island and watched over Roger's Bar before being brutally
killed.
A call came into the GSPCA that a dog was found hanging in an old abandoned
shed on Hog Island. The animal was brought to the mainland by a yachtsman
and was immediately transported by GSPCA personnel to St. George's University
to have an autopsy performed. The autopsy report clearly indicated that
the killing was brutal and the animal suffered before she gasped her last
breath. Mr. Strachan stated, "The community has to take this seriously".
The witnesses and the dog's owner all gave statements at the South St. George's
Police Station. The police detective in charge of the cruelty case quickly
picked up and questioned the suspect. The suspect confessed to killing the
dog and was charged by the police under the Animals (Prevention of Cruelty)
Act of 1952.
The youth appeared before Magistrate Oforiwa Augustine. She received evidence
and testimony from the police officer who took the confession, the doctor
who performed the autopsy, the dog's owner and the defendant. After hearing
the evidence Magistrate Augustine found the youth guilty and stated that
the charge should be torture of an animal instead of cruelty to an animal.
Magistrate Augustine tried to impress upon the young man the gravity of
his offence by stating that "you have done things that can only be
attributed to a monster" and this time you have "beat a dog to
death" and if you do not realize "the seriousness of what you
have done, the next time it will be a human being".
The Woburn youth was given the maximum sentence allowed under the Animals
(Prevention Of Cruelty) Act-$3,000.00 to be paid within three months. Magistrate
Augustine stated that if the fine were not paid in full within the specified
time limit the accused would spend nine months in prison.
The GSPCA wishes to thank the witnesses for coming forward with their testimony
and the Royal Grenadian Police for protecting this nation's animals. Mahatma
Gandhi stated, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can
be judged by the way its animals are treated".
Mobile Clinic on the Go!
The Mobile Veterinary Clinic, donated to the GSPCA by the World Society
for the Protection of Animals (W.S.P.A.), remains an integral part in the
Society's efforts to service the outlying communities. The GSPCA/W.S.P.A.
vehicle provides facilities at the free vaccination clinics, spay/neuter
clinics and is used for education purposes at fund raising events. The Mobile
Clinic was utilised extensively as a surgery unit while the GSPCA Headquarters
were being renovated. The most recent volunteer veterinarian to come to
Grenada was Dr. Patrice Mich D.V.M., who spent her time spaying and neutering
the dogs and cats of La Tante and Café.
The GSPCA is preparing for a visit this August from the President of the
Veterinarians for World Animal Health, Inc. (VWAH), Dr. Ginny Bischel D.V.M.
The purpose of the trip is to assess Grenada as a location to be included
in their itinerary for next year's projects. These veterinarians will take
part in the Government-approved GSPCA Volunteer Veterinarian programme.
The VWAH teams of veterinarians, veterinary technicians and individuals
volunteer their time for campaigns in many countries, including Mexico,
Greece and Turkey. The Society is looking forward to VWAH's participation
in the GSPCA dog and cat population control programmes.
From Hell to Heaven
Clarissa's Story
The GSPCA received many calls about a Doberman in extremely poor condition.
Numerous outings by GSPCA personnel to locate the dog failed until one volunteer
happened upon the dog. The Doberman, later named Clarissa, was brought to
the animal hospital for evaluation and treatment. From the Clinic, Clarissa
was placed with S.G.U. veterinary students who nursed her back to health.
Clarissa returned the kindness shown to her by the students by running off
an intruder who had made his way across their fenced yard and up to their
second story balcony. Clarissa's barking alerted the students to the intruder's
presence. With Clarissa in hot pursuit, it took the intruder less than two
seconds to descend the stairs and run out of the yard. The GSPCA would dearly
love to identify this individual and bring him to the attention of the Grenada
Triathlon Committee...as well as the South St. George's Police Station.
Clarissa was returned to the GSPCA to be spayed and during the course of
the operation she was found to have cancer. The GSPCA was able to rehome
Clarissa. Her new owner, Mr. Fritz Matuschek, is aware that her life is
likely to be shortened by the cancer, but he loves her and is willing to
give her a wonderful home for the rest of her days. Presently, Clarissa
is not in any pain and is enjoying her days swimming in ”her”
pool and relaxing on "her" lounge chairs.
Bell's Story
A concerned citizen driving along River Road in St. George's saw a dog
in extremely poor condition and had to stop and rescue him. The Good Samaritan
brought the dog into the GSPCA Headquarters where the dog would growl at
anyone who approached him. The dog, named Bell by GSPCA personnel, was extremely
thin and very weak, had lost nearly his entire hair coat, and was sun burnt
to a bright pink colour. After medical treatment, nutritious food, rest
and time recovering in the home of a GSPCA volunteer, he transformed into
a healthy, happy, lively dog. Bell now lives in a home where his new owners
love and care for him.
Clarissa and Bell are only two of the many, many animals that come through
the doors of the GSPCA in poor condition. Your donations go toward helping
animals like Clarissa and Bell become happy, healthy and ready for new homes
where they get a second chance at life.
2001 Grenada Dog Show
Snoosie, a "pothound" owned by Ms. Lizzie Kaufmann, won the "Best
in Show" title at the Fourth Annual GSPCA Dog Show. The Show was held
on November 4, 2001, at the Grenada Trade Centre and sponsored by Friskies
Alpo of Bryden & Minors. Fifty-four canines graced centre ring and strutted
their stuff in front of an enthusiastic crowd of more than 350 spectators.
Event organiser, Peggy Cattan said, "This show is not just based on
beauty and breed but how well the dogs respond to their handlers".
While both children and adults cheered on their favorite dog, Barbados Judge,
Senator Keith Laurie, examined and scrutinised all facets of the many different
breeds. "It was a fantastic day for dogs," said Senator Laurie,
who has volunteered this weekend to Grenada for the past four years. Adding:
"I always enjoy myself at this event". With the continued support
of the sponsor, Friskies Alpo, the Society is able to raise money which
helps care for the animals of the island. All monies raised goes towards
helping Grenada's animals through the many different programmes offered
to the public, from education to free vaccinations and spaying and neutering.
Each year the Grenada Dog Show grows larger and the events become more competitive
in the spirit that only true dog lovers can inspire. The Fifth Annual GSPCA
Dog Show will be October 27, 2002.
Free Vaccination & Deworming Clinics
The GSPCA continues to offer the popular vaccination, deworming and skin
treatment clinics to different communities around the island. Through donations
from various businesses and private citizens the GSPCA has been able to
offer this free service in Woburn, Belmont, Grand Anse Valley, Victoria,
Café, La Tante and River Road. This year 372 animals have been vaccinated
under this programme. Vaccinations protect animals from contracting many
diseases. One of the GSPCA's objectives is to provide this service to each
of the communities on an annual basis. Since the beginning of the programme
five years ago, the GSPCA has vaccinated thousands of dogs and hundreds
of cats.
Happy Tails
The following are a few of the GSPCA rescued animals and their new owners.
The GSPCA rehomed 101 dogs and 29 cats since last August. The local common
breed or "Pothounds" make great pets; they are good watchdogs,
very loyal, intelligent and good family pets. Think about adopting a pothound
or a cat from the GSPCA when you are looking for a new pet. All cats and
dogs that are available for adoption through the GSPCA have been spayed
or neutered so that they cannot produce offspring.
GSPCA Goes to School
This year, an illustrated story has been prepared for use in the primary
schools. Copies of a colouring book that teaches about safety around animals
and animal care, together with boxes of crayons, are left with each class.
The most recent visit was to the Woburn Methodist School, where we were
warmly received.
An informative PowerPoint presentation for young adults has also been prepared.
It can be shown on a computer, or projected on a large screen for the use
of larger audiences. The goal of the programme is to educate the public
about the role of the GSPCA and to encourage them to assume responsibility
for animal welfare in their own communities. The public debut will be with
the Young Leaders from the St. David's area, who have expressed an interest
in helping the GSPCA Hopefully, these young people will spread the word.
In a further effort towards community awareness of animal welfare, a letter
has been prepared that will be sent to area churches asking that the animals
of the nation be remembered on Sunday, October 6. This Sunday is the nearest
to the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Animals. In many
churches around the world, this day is set aside for a special ceremony,
called the Blessing of the Animals. We hope it will be well received.
Memorial Fund
A Memorial Fund has been established to provide a way for you to express
your sympathy for the loss of a friend's beloved pet. Funds raised will
be dedicated to the extraordinary medical care of homeless animals. An attractive
card has been prepared that will be sent to the family acknowledging your
donation to the GSPCA The card will bear the pet's name and the name of
the donor.
When a pet dies, the grief that is experienced is often unrecognized and/or
unacknowledged. It is a very difficult time for many animal lovers who see
their pets as members of their families. In addition to recognizing this
loss, your donation will also provide the gift of life to another animal.
Although established to memorialise our pets, donations to the fund will
be gratefully accepted at any time. We hope that you will remember it at
the appropriate time and call the GSPCA to make your donation and have a
card sent.
