Bitten and Bruised

The troubling issue of animals specifically dogs attacking and mauling people continues to be a high priority.

Recently, a St. Richards Primary School sixth-grade teacher was said to be heard screaming for help when she was being mauled by a pack of pit bulls in Woodland Way, Coopers Hill, St. Andrew. This allegedly happened on Thursday, September 19 while she was on her usual evening walks.

In the attack, she reportedly lost an ear, her head was swollen, she received deep wounds and her legs were torn apart. The police were summoned and upon arriving the woman was still being attacked and shots had to be fired in the air before the dogs scampered away.

The lady was able to give her name and the name of the owner of the dogs to the police before she was rushed to the Andrews Memorial Hospital.

Crime scene yellow tape.

In Jamaica, there is the Cruelty to Animals Act that should be upheld by the Ministry of Justice as well as the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which upholds animals' safety and best interests.

However, what legislation or group is there to protect humans from being mauled by these animals?

This is just one case, where the victim is a person who has to now undergo intensive care and surgeries as a result of injuries sustained by dogs. Another case happened in January 2014 to a three-year-old in his hometown in Parry Town, St. Ann. He was in his yard playing with his seven-year-old cousin when the unhooked canine locked its jaw around the boy's head, shook him and then tore off the right side of his cheek.

Horrific details of how a child's body would forever be disfigured. The mother, the child and everyone who witnessed the ordeal was traumatised. There are several other stories of dogs mauling people, whether they are pets or strangers to the victims.

What can or should be done to prevent another mauling?

Well, the mother called for the government to enforce strict penalties for owners who carelessly let their dogs roam the streets. There should be a ban on certain breeds to prevent these attacks. The government, however, is pleading with owners to keep them contained, so that they do not have to enforce a ban.

This is quite unfortunate as the Jamaican streets are laden with stray dogs, who pose a threat to anyone walking on the road.

How can one be going about their usual business and unsuspectingly get pounced upon by vicious dogs, who have no regard for a person's life? This is not right and rules have to be laid on the table to allow everyone to feel safe in this country.

In the first place, where is the owner in this ordeal? Secondly, why are these dangerous animals out on the road, without restraints, parading knowing quite well they are a menace to human safety?

All in all, pets are only as dangerous as their owners let them be; the proper training and restrictions should groom them to be well-rounded. So, maybe not a ban but the owners should receive set rules and guidelines on how to treat different breeds with penalties if not upheld.