My name is Devlyn Stubbs, this past July I chaperoned our summer camp's field trip to the dog pound where we witnessed first hand the horrible conditions there. This is a letter written describing our experience. I have read the other articles printed regarding this issue and I would like to offer my support to this cause.
DEVLYN STUBBS
Owner/Trainer
Stubsdale Dog Care Centre
The Pound
The day promised to be very fruitful as we prepared for our field trip to the Humane Society.
As a surprise for the campers, I planned a nature hike through the Botanical Gardens, and visit to the pound which happens to be located on the same facility.
To my disappointment and to the horror of the campers, the facility proved to be far below any expected standard.
The kennels were unsanitary, poorly lit, badly dilapidated, and seemingly grossly underfunded. The 15-20 animals appeared not to be taken care of; the cages were filthy with excrement and, in need of major renovations.
The two adult staff members, and three to four younger persons, presumably summer students, were observed either relaxing under a tree, on the telephone, or preparing meals in the staff kitchen, all while a dead dog lay decomposing in a kennel with its living kennel mate. When asked when the dead dog would be removed, staff explained that the keys to the kennels were not currently on premises, but they assured us that the dead dog would be removed from the kennel that day.
One kennel in particular housed a puppy no more than five months old, seemingly healthy, and begging for attention.
Mention was made however of helping eligible pets find homes, but on this day the Bahamas Humane Society was denied the opportunity to find a home for the pup, and as scheduled the following day, the pup was euthanised.
I am very disappointed in the staff at The Pound and embarrassed for my country because I understand now why we have a stray dog problem.
A worker explained to me that it is not the policy of the pound to patrol the streets of Nassau capturing dogs that roam, and there are no penalties enforced for allowing your dog to roam. The pound only collects dogs that people call in, and they are euthanised every Friday.
Awareness can lead to change, and that's what I hope this letter may help to bring about. What we are experiencing in The Bahamas with regard to the large stray dog population is a direct result of our lackadaisical attitude toward yard enclosures, in addition to refusing to spay and neuter our pets.
Domestic and stray dogs alike roam our streets, mating with other dogs helping 1 to increase the already large local dog population.
The Bahamian government should be leading the way. Stray animals on our streets are not only inhumane, it's a nuisance to the citizens, and a constant health risk to people and dogs.
I hope that by exposing The Pound and its inhumane practices, we can perhaps agitate our minds while simultaneously warming our hearts to begin to consider the plight of our four legged companions, and perhaps we will then make a serious attempt at properly caring for our pets.
DEVLYN STUBBS
Nassau,
September, 2009
3 Comments Add this link to... Bury
DEVLYN STUBBS
Owner/Trainer
Stubsdale Dog Care Centre
The Pound
The day promised to be very fruitful as we prepared for our field trip to the Humane Society.
As a surprise for the campers, I planned a nature hike through the Botanical Gardens, and visit to the pound which happens to be located on the same facility.
To my disappointment and to the horror of the campers, the facility proved to be far below any expected standard.
The kennels were unsanitary, poorly lit, badly dilapidated, and seemingly grossly underfunded. The 15-20 animals appeared not to be taken care of; the cages were filthy with excrement and, in need of major renovations.
The two adult staff members, and three to four younger persons, presumably summer students, were observed either relaxing under a tree, on the telephone, or preparing meals in the staff kitchen, all while a dead dog lay decomposing in a kennel with its living kennel mate. When asked when the dead dog would be removed, staff explained that the keys to the kennels were not currently on premises, but they assured us that the dead dog would be removed from the kennel that day.
One kennel in particular housed a puppy no more than five months old, seemingly healthy, and begging for attention.
Mention was made however of helping eligible pets find homes, but on this day the Bahamas Humane Society was denied the opportunity to find a home for the pup, and as scheduled the following day, the pup was euthanised.
I am very disappointed in the staff at The Pound and embarrassed for my country because I understand now why we have a stray dog problem.
A worker explained to me that it is not the policy of the pound to patrol the streets of Nassau capturing dogs that roam, and there are no penalties enforced for allowing your dog to roam. The pound only collects dogs that people call in, and they are euthanised every Friday.
Awareness can lead to change, and that's what I hope this letter may help to bring about. What we are experiencing in The Bahamas with regard to the large stray dog population is a direct result of our lackadaisical attitude toward yard enclosures, in addition to refusing to spay and neuter our pets.
Domestic and stray dogs alike roam our streets, mating with other dogs helping 1 to increase the already large local dog population.
The Bahamian government should be leading the way. Stray animals on our streets are not only inhumane, it's a nuisance to the citizens, and a constant health risk to people and dogs.
I hope that by exposing The Pound and its inhumane practices, we can perhaps agitate our minds while simultaneously warming our hearts to begin to consider the plight of our four legged companions, and perhaps we will then make a serious attempt at properly caring for our pets.
DEVLYN STUBBS
Nassau,
September, 2009
3 Comments Add this link to... Bury
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Comments
The atrocities occur at the pound, which is RIGHT NEXT DOOR to the Humane Society. How could the Humane Society not be aware of these problems? Did they not know about the activities at the pound? Maybe the people at the Humane Society need to stop patting themselves on the back and washing their hands of guilt and start opening their eyes and fulfilling their mandate. Frankly, I think they are doing a lousy job.
The article is refering to the inhumane and horrible conditions at the Government pound NOT The Bahamas Humane Society. The Bahamas Humane Society continues to help Bahamian animals daily.
People need to STOP giving money to this poorly managed organisation until they get their act together. I am tired of hearing that the Humane Society is underfunded. It is not underfunding, but poor management, that is at the root of their problems. A poorly run organisation deserves no funding. The Bahamas Humane Society, as it exists now, is part of the problem not part of the solution.