from a friend....

Belmopan city council have announced in a press release this week that they are about to begin a poisoning (under the guise of 'stray dog eradication') programme shortly. I will try and get exact dates - in the meantime, could you warn anyone you know that allows their dog to roam that they are about to die a horrible death.

Just for the record there is a big dog pound in Belize City just after you reach Bravo Motors on the Western Highway. It is run by volunteers from the Belize Humane Society. The dogs are treated, neutered and available to responsible owners. Dogs in untreatable condition are put to sleep humanely by a vet.

from a friend...

A society can be judged by the way it treats it's animals, so if this society poisons its animals with strychnine, which causes an agonal death, this is not a civilised society.
There is no excuse, moral, financial, or for any reason, to cause such a death for animals.

...to the friend....

There are plenty of civilized societies that have governments who make poor decisions.....(Egypt)

I believe the dog eradication is an awful despicable solution, however what the government does should not reflect what people think of me or my neighbors......IMHO

I find it very sad that the Town Board in the area has not liaised with the Belmopan Humane Society on this. I'm very proud that the San Pedro Town Board work so closely with SAGA so that this doesn't happen here.

I am so confused by the posting date of this post...and have so much to say as of todays date...Feb 22,,2011 we are schedule for an eradication next week...

You are missing the point. The real problem are the dog owners who let their animals run loose. They can get into all sorts of trouble and inadvertantly consume nasty things. If the owners care about their animals they will keep them contained. It is also the only courteous thing to do for your neigbors.

Actually poolman, the real problem is that the government is not taking an intelligent or realistic approach to the problem. It has been well established that poisoning (or even mass humane euthanasia) does not work. Within approximately 18 months, the gap left by the absent dogs will be filled again. Needless to say that strychnine poisoning is dangerous not only to the dogs, but to other animals and wildlife. The WHO is opposed to this form of stray control. It is also detrimental to the environment as the bodies decompose, the chemical disperses into our waterways.

The only things that work are a combination of efforts including education, enforcement, accessible neutering and spaying (unfortunately this means that the veterinary profession has to cooperate with humane societies - but the majority have made it clear they see humane societies as competition. Fortunately there is a handful of great vets who do support humane societies but it just isn't enough) and better control of food sources such as garbage. As long as there are food sources available the dog population, cat and raccoon populations will grow to a size sustained by the resources available.

Poisoning is inhumane, pointless and does nothing to improve the problem in the long run. It certainly does not encourage responsible dog ownership - which as you point out is the crux of the problem.

The truth is the Government...I am the Director of the Caye caulker Humane Society and we are in the midst of an eradication here. With perhaps 15 problem animals they will come as they did last time and poison 50 or more dogs. Dogs on private property..on porches...not following Belize laws at all with no public notification. Dogs were dying in restaurants the next day at lunch in front of tourist. We have offered to assist with the round up of the few problem dogs and euthanize them humanly, all at our cost but Government still wants their night out hunting and last time thats exactly what it seemed to be..a boys nite out...hunting with free Hotel and meals.....a true vacation..
and yes dog owners need to be educated..but know one is poisoning them....

I rarely post anymore, based on rude people. However I can not resist when it comes to the animals. Save these animals and by all means get all them fixed. I try to wrap my head around why people dont and I don't get it. My daughter just rescued a puppy that had been abused (eye beat out) and not fed, as hard as it was for me/us we took him to the humane society. Their are good people, but sad at the same time. EVERYONE SHOULD CARE FOR ANIMALS. PERIOD.

There are two reasons that people do not get their animals neutered and spayed in Belize. One is economic - people believe they can sell puppies to supplement their income and for those who would prefer not to have puppies, surgery is not within their financial means. The second is a lack of education about neutering and spaying - there are many myths and concerns associated with the surgeries that are not based on fact.

Judyann H, I don't think people are always judged by their governments actions. But, if you sit idle, and do nothing, you are condoning their practices and therefore YOU become part of the problem.
The animals don't have a voice. BE THEIR VOICE and let your government know how horrible this practice is. Phone calls, emails, visible protests. Make your voice heard for the helpless animals.
Yes, governments do stupid stuff. Doesn't make it right, and to do NOTHING makes you as wrong as the government.
IMHO

we (hubby and I) are looking at CC as a place to settle and retire. We loved it there. That being said, I am an advid dog lover. I have adopted three. Compared to the dogs on CC, my dogs are extremely spoiled, well fed, and well loved. They even sleep with us, on our bed, and sometimes on their own! I can't imagine what kind of cold heart can go around poisoning dogs. I couldn't for any amount of money. Too many innocent victims. If we do choose to live in CC full time, I will keep a very close eye on my dogs. I do that now, so nothing needs to change. Owners need to take responsibility for their pets. All pets. Or not have them.

I agree with you, Babsy. ALL pets need our protection, not just our own. I also have three rescued dogs and a rescued cat, and can't imaging life without my furkids. As much as I love Belize and it's people, I would never agree to live and pay taxes anywhere that has such a practice. One day, I hope they find a way to treat the animals of the islands with loving respect. It should NOT be this way, now or ever. The governments who support this should hear it's citizens voices and stop this cruel practice.

Sunandsand, yes I agree with you...Involvement is key.

My first post on the subject was simply to respond to the original message about pre-judged societies.

Myself along with many other people on and off the island are working continuously for the safety and protection of our furry friends....We also have Rescued Animals and I don't even want to think about what could have happened to them without our assistance. There are many, many great people in San Pedro who work on protecting the animals and educating the community.....Maybe you already know that....However, I just wanted to put it in writing.

I have a 4 month old pit bull pot licker mix I rescued 4 days ago out of a box it had been living in all its life. So riddled with mange. So malnutritiond,Its social skills are scary..the dog has never seen the light of day. Yet its owner comes by every day to see if she is OK..This stuff can drive you crazy....I deal with it daily...
But you have to understand 3rd world countries..to make any type of change its slow..we on Caye Caulker may be able to get a dog catcher and citate animal owners for negligent..its all so different from the US.Canada. England.. everyones advice is good but its a different world here...Its baby steps...advice helps but not so much unless you are hands on and know the slow place of change in this country. There are lots of us working very hard.
SUNANDSAND....if you were an advocate for animal rescue would you not want to be in a country where you could make a difference? Rather than stating you would never live and pay taxes in a such a country...Belize has such liberal tax laws but thats not the point..IS IT!

Mike and I hope to some day live on CC. One of the things I've said all along is that I would do volunteer work to help the Humane Society. I am an animal lover. I saw while in CC how thin and sad the dogs and cats running loose seemed. Perhaps it's just my American imagination, but compared to my dogs, my dogs are super FAT! I just hate the thought of these poor critters suffering. And I'm not sure that poisoning is the answer, although I do understand why the government does it. It's just sad.

Cooper, I am an avid animal lover, and have supported SAGA both monitarily and with supplies and equipment brought with me to the island in the six years we have been visiting there. Anyone there who knows me knows I will go to bat for the animals any time I see an injustice. I have petitioned the gov in the past to stop this type of eradication, but have been met with the attitude that "if it doesn't put $$ in my pocket, I'm not interested". I guess being frustrated with their lack of compassion is what has made me NOT want to live there, at least not any time soon. And, as a side bar, my husband and I are in the early stages of opening an animal sanctuary here in the US. So, my animal advocacy isn't an issue...
Babsy, there are so many animals here in the US who are overweight. I think the dogs on the islands appear too thin by comparison. Granted, there are those who have been neglected who are painfully thin, but I wish my chubby kids could lose a few pounds.

sunandsand..
Just go back and read your post...boy I agree with you its easier to help animals in the U.S. than here...and knowone especially me holds back thanks for anyone helping animals any where. People that have no history on dealing with 3rd world country Government can be really put off by it because boy its a nitemare..I have spent days now showing up for meetings that have been set on dog eradication..I may show up for weeks until I get to talk to someone but thats how things get done...if you are a true advocate of change..its the 3rd world countries that need to change and saying ..OH I dont like the attitude of Belize Government so I wont support Belize is not progressive at all. However I may be misjudging you for just not expressing yourself correctly or I could just be burnt out for fighting this cause full time for to many years...yet I see how much better things are for it.
I have a handful of Government advocates and because I have no money I have not met a Belizean Official that wants any..its all about presentation of who you are.

This has been a problem for the last 20+ years. The best solution is for owners to become more responsible. Dogs that are left to run around as they please breed indiscriminately and tear up trash and chase people on bicycles and defecate any and everywhere. When the problem reaches a certain level they poison the dogs. Its a fact of life as we dont have public resources to do much more. The onus is on the owners to maintain their pets. If you love your pets dont let them run wild where they contract and spread disease and become public nuisances .
In the meantime it is very important to try to raise the awareness of the GOB and try to help find a more humane way to deal with the problem until awareness of owners is increased which is the real solution. Protesting without offering a viable alternative is wasting your time.
Dont let your dogs run loose and dont let them crap up the beach and streets and bark at people and chase bicycles and tear up trash, please, then there will be no reason to have the periodic eradications which are so distasteful and distressing to us all.

I think we both want the same thing, Cooper. However, since I don't live there, and am only there a few times a year, I haven't noticed any positive change in the treatment of animals or indigents. I have been supporting SAGA in many ways for many years. I know I am not the only one, either. So, where is the change? After a while of giving and giving, one becomes defeated, and will turn towards giving to areas where the change becomes obvious after a while. I'm not saying I would not give to SAGA, I'm saying I won't live in a place without heart. A Government that supports this horrendous action is without heart...
We still support SAGA, but can make donations there without giving to the Gov. When the Gov gets a clue about how to treat those without a voice, I may rethink my position. And, nope, I don't want to live there...as much as I love Belize.

Heart does not come from any Government..it comes from people trying to make a better Government...its happening all around you..in Egypt..Libya..if folks accept a Government that is lacking as you have, to just turn away then nothing will change. Actually The Government in Belize is not half bad..they are just so young...and how can you live in the U.S. with one of the worst Governments in the World. ITS NOT THE GOVERNMENT THAT MAKES A COUNTRY ITs THE PEOPLE......and anyway it makes no difference where you are in the world if you are paying it back as it seems you are..I cant understand why you are against helping poor countries..why are you negative...its so much about supporting the right humane thing to do..I am assuming you are young but could be all wrong on that...I do think you are right in the helping network and I know SAGA..they have helped Belize animals out for many years..I still dont get your attitude..I love Belize..The Government is what it is but we are guiding them with baby steps.....its THE ANIMALS..F---K the Government..Hopefully you will never visit the other 118 countries in the world that eradicate...

hi peter how am i doing......

Ya know, I am going to stop this diatribe now. This is about the animals, and the best way to get humane treatment for them. The tactics taken to get the help to where the help is needed is the issue. Obviously, the BZE Gov couldn't care less how these actions are affecting it's citizens. It should HEAR what you are saying, and what everyone else has been saying since this has come to the surface. Yes, The US has it's difficulties, and I guess that is why there are so many million people Immigrating into it every year, to enjoy it's difficulties.
This is about animal welfare. I never said I was against helping the animals. I said I didn't want to pay into a government who didn't listen to it's citizens who wanted to be heard. Youth at this point is just an excuse. I have seen such small changes on AC for the less fortunate. I am discouraged, disgusted and saddened by the blind eye and deaf ear of those in power. The efforts you are making are admirable. I applaud every effort anyone can make when attempting to advance a society into a better place. Why is it only YOU going to these meetings to be heard? You should have a group involved. You are known on CC and should be able to assemble a whole group to go to these meetings to be heard. yet, it's only you. I know you have such a huge job in front of you and it will be little voice, in a big arena, to be heard. I elect to go a different route, but our mission is the same.
I pray you can make a difference. I am not against third world countries and, when we are there, we are involved. But that isn't my home. I will continue to help those I can help here at home, and you do the same, and hopefully it can be done without sarcasm and ugliness. We both want the same thing, just have different ways of getting to the mutual purpose. I can do more from here, working with international efforts, you can do what you can do there, and hopefully it will all make a difference.
My fight isn't with you. We both want the same thing. The efforts you are using on me would be better spent penning a petition and having your neighbors sign it, and give it to your mayor and my friend Alberto Villanueva and ask him to help get the message to where it needs to be, if you can't get your voice to be heard. I will continue to work with HSInternational, and other systems designed to improve animal welfare in 3rd world areas, and hopefully as a combined effort, it will make a wonderful improvement.

The Caye Caulker Humane Society does an amazing job. We've brought supplies down and made a contribution on the web site (US Tax deductible by the way!). If you go to CC and visit the humane society you will see how VERY FAR your donation will go there! These people are saving and improving lives daily for the people and animals on CC. Maybe it seems easier to help animals in the US or Canada but if you want to really see your donation dollars at work, make a donation to CC Humane Society.

http://cayecaulkerhumanesociety.com/

Noelle (not a paid paid spokesperson, just a fan)

I just received some pretty cool information today. This is what it said:

"Thought you would be interested in this, I discovered today that the Veterinary Oath was Revised ( the article is dated 12/2010) it now reads
"Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge & skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering. the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health and the advancement of medical knowledge"
The Animal Welfare Committee recommended the changes to emphasize that veterinarians have responsibilities not only to animal health, but also animal welfare. YAY! a step in the right direction and something to shove into the faces of those vets you say are not compelled to help."