Stray Dogs Plaguing The Country

Government officials have expressed concerning in a report about stray dogs plaguing the country.Member for the Fourth District Dr. Vincent Scatliffe brought up the issue during a Standing Finance Committee (SFC) meeting, asking if anything could be done about stray dogs in Road Town.Chief Agricultural Officer, Agriculture Department, Bevin Brathwaite said the department has launched a ‘Loose Dog’ campaign and the department “recently received a tranquilizer gun that would aid in the capture of loose livestock”.
Part of the activities is to visit the dump sites and euthanize the animals, Brathwaite said.According to the report, Brathwaite said “as recent as last week they captured and euthanized three dogs in the Road Town area. They realise there is a problem in that area”.Premier Ralph O’Neal stated that “the question of dogs has been plaguing the British Virgin Islands for years”.In speaking with one of the farmers on Virgin Gorda, the premier was told that the farmer lost 20 of his animals, which is a heavy lost for a person who depends on farming for a living.
Premier O’Neal asked if the initiative could be launched in Virgin Gorda. Brathwaite responded by saying he recently learned of the situation when he spoke to farmers on Virgin Gorda, and he is aware that it is also a problem on Tortola.The premier stated that “we cannot allow farmers animals to be destroyed and if owners do not keep their dogs tied, then they will pay the price”.