EDITOR, The Tribune.
Please publish the following open letter to:
The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Prime Minister
The Hon. Philip Davis, Deputy Prime Minister
The Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism
The Hon. V. Alfred Gray, Minister of Agriculture
Nassau, Bahamas.
Dear Sirs;
It has come to our attention that permits and approvals are pending, if not already issued, for a horse excursion business on Harbour Island.
The person applying for such approvals previously had a similar business on the same island, and in 2011 his five horses had to be rescued due to extreme neglect and starvation.
Two of the five horses did not survive despite the valiant and costly efforts by the Bahamas Humane Society and other volunteers.
Forget for now that no proper stable has been built.
Forget that there is no paddock or turn out area. Forget that there are no equine veterinarians on Harbour Island. Indeed there are no vets at all on Harbour Island, and no equine specialists in the entire Bahamas.
Forget for now that there appears to be no hurricane plan; or any sensible and humane plan of any kind in place for horses to again be utilised for beach rides on Harbour Island.
What should not be forgotten is that five horses suffered terribly and two died as a direct result of neglect, which is animal cruelty under the Penal Code of The Bahamas. That no charges were brought against the owner in 2011 is incredulous. That the owner never paid even one dollar for the exorbitant costs of rescuing, treating and caring for those poor animals is also incredulous.
What is hardest of all to believe now is that any government agency would consider for even one minute granting import permits and approvals for anyone with that background to import new horses and set up shop again on the beautiful beaches of Harbour Island.
When it comes to crimes against the truly defenseless – animals and children – second chances are simply too risky. The Humane Society of Grand Bahama urges the Bahamas Government to exercise compassion and reason, and not permit this travesty to occur.
Elizabeth (Tip) Burrows
Executive Director,
Humane Society of Grand Bahama,
Freeport, Bahamas,
March 12, 2015.
Comments
Momphyre 9 years ago
Thank you Tip Burrows for having the courage and intelligence to speak loudly and sensibly about this terrible project. I hope that those in charge of approving or rejecting this project also have the courage to turn it down, and also to prosecute the parties responsible for the abuse, neglect, and suffering of the animals in their care. Too little concern and compassion is given to animals on these islands, especially if it costs money. We know where those in charge of the money would rather see it go.
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