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Stray yard chickens & dogs still a vexing issue

Despite the announcement of a strategic Feral Animal Control Management Plan in June 2016, stray animals, including yard fowls and dogs, remain an issue in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source/VINO
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering's (R7) Strategic Feral Animal Control Management Plan was scheduled to tackle fowls, cats, dogs and cattle. Photo: VINO/File
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering's (R7) Strategic Feral Animal Control Management Plan was scheduled to tackle fowls, cats, dogs and cattle. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- It was June 2016 that Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) announced in the House of Assembly that the Department of Agriculture is moving towards being a regulatory agency and may get out of the business of hosting agriculture exhibitions.

In other words, the Department will support famers through regulations, information and technical advice. One of the programmes the veteran legislator announced was a strategic Feral Animal Control Management Plan to target roaming cattle, stray dogs, wild cats and chickens.

The Minister said there have been complaints from residents and businesses about these animals being a nuisance.

Stray chickens, cats & dogs still causing problems

Well to date it is unclear where the plans are or if they have started. Many residents and businesses continue to complain about the stray dogs, cats, and goats roaming the streets, especially on Virgin Gorda, Long Bush, Sea Cows Bay and Long Look/East End on Tortola.

Some Restaurants in the capital city of Road Town continue also to have challenges with chickens in their dining rooms, and there are some food establishments where on a daily basis one can see a number of chickens and dogs outside, most often being fed by establishments’ employees.

Each sister Island has stray animal problems

On Jost van Dyke, stray goats are a problem to some, and on Virgin Gorda there are stray dogs and cats, for the most part around the ‘dump’ in the area of the Valley.

There are farmers who also complain about stray dogs killing and injuring their livestock of pigs, goats and sheep; however, how widespread the problems are remains unclear.

On Tortola, the issues of cows roaming the streets and ending up on private property with much destruction of fence and garden, and leaving droppings, as well as the chickens and dogs, remain a real issue for a number of years.

The modern Virgin Islander no longer eats the yard chickens, which are seen even at nights around certain food establishments. There is also the issue of stray dogs along the road in many communities on Tortola.

On Anegada, there are many stray cows, sheep, and even donkeys that continue to be a nuisance to residents.

Meanwhile, it is unclear whether the Feral Animal Control Management Plan is in effect as Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Ronald F. Smith-Berkeley said he was off island and unable to comment on that while Chief Agricultural Officer Bevin Brathwaite could not be reached up to the time of publication.

43 Responses to “Stray yard chickens & dogs still a vexing issue”

  • bossie (28/03/2017, 17:28) Like (30) Dislike (1) Reply
    Even the animals feeling the pressure under this NDP Government.
  • Jost Van Dkye residence (28/03/2017, 17:34) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    IT DON'T HAVE NO NO PROBLEM WITH STRAY GOATS ON JOST VAN DYKE GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT MR. MINISTER
    • Reply (28/03/2017, 19:52) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's the dumbest excuse I ever heard.
    • JVD (29/03/2017, 12:07) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      MR. MINISTER, THERE YOU GO AGAIN, TRYING TO FULFILL THE AGENDA OF THE WHITE PRESERVATION SOCIETY. HAVE YOU EVER SPOKEN TO JOST VAN DYKE NATIONALS AND FIND OUT THEIR VIEWS? THE GOATS AS FAR AS THE NATIONALS ARE CONCERNED ARE NOT POSING ANY PROBLEM. WHO ARE THE "SOME"? YOU HAVE THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY FEEDING YOU NONSENSE; WHO ARE THEY REPRESENTING, OR PRESERVING FOR IF NO ONE IS EVER CONSULTED NOR A PART OF IT.
    • @Jost Van Dyke residence (29/03/2017, 22:45) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yeah He always supporting his white friends with their agenda. JVD residents need to stop being so silent about these issues and start having meetings to stop this nonsense in your own country. When 'they' kill off all the food supply they have a place to run back to and survive. I hope you see who the NDP looking out for?
    • JDV (30/03/2017, 06:50) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Of course there r stray goats on JVd. All over the place
  • cay (28/03/2017, 17:36) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Leve the fowls pico



  • tola (28/03/2017, 17:47) Like (22) Dislike (5) Reply
    Visitors enjoy seeing the chickens, goats, cows ect when they come here it's a different seen you guys are not American so stop trying to be.
  • @tola (28/03/2017, 18:14) Like (61) Dislike (6) Reply
    What visitors? U must be talking about those £●₩-£¡f€ €A$TERN CAR!BB€AN ones. Enough of this American bashing and ignorance already. Have some pride within YOURSELF, YOUR COMMUNITY, and stop this nastiness here. Let's see what u have to say if someone started shooting animals for comin on their property.
    • Sherry (29/03/2017, 00:21) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      actually, there is something to that. I saw visitors gawking and taking pictures of livestock and chickens like they were something exotic. In some places, they have a rustic charm. But I will ring the rooster's neck above Smugglers and his brood. They roam from steel point to Belmont. Even dogs won't chase them.
  • Just saying (28/03/2017, 18:19) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Come Anegada
  • Taxi driver (28/03/2017, 18:21) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    Leave the chickens alone. its one of the few entertainments we have for our tourist attractions, the tourist love them!
    • Yes we do, Tourist (28/03/2017, 18:55) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      I enjoy seeing the stray chickens when I visit. You see the same thing when you go to Key West. Roosters and Chickens roam around Key West.
    • 8th district gyal (29/03/2017, 09:10) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree. The whole Caribbean is filled with them not just the BVI.

      There's 2 fowls down Village Cay walking around as if they're tenured and part of the management team. They bring much delight to guests!
  • Yes (28/03/2017, 19:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about the stray cows eating people garden and crops? Extra beef perhaps?
    • @LOL (29/03/2017, 22:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If that's your choice of meat enjoy your beef! ( Cows strayed in the British virgin islands throughout the centuries the only difference today is the mindset of the persons living in the BVI today.)
  • qc (28/03/2017, 19:31) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Pickering won't do anything beneficial for agriculture, won't restart the failed industry, not that doing that would be a good thing anyway. It might benefit some passionate old time farmers
  • 1 (28/03/2017, 19:41) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Quite frankly the stray animals are a big bother to me
  • farmer (28/03/2017, 20:31) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    This has been the 5th dog attack in Valley for 2017 on sheep ( different farms) and No one owns the dogs . We will listen out for ALL the activist who will complain about the dogs rights ; (because dem barn here too )
    Hello I seeking outside help
    And we starting a WAR on All dogs that are on the streets without their owners
    "Peter will pay for Paul ". Life can be cruel sometimes X. ☠️
    • Animal Lover (28/03/2017, 21:06) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
      @Farmer, oh no you are not!!!. Why strike war on innocent animals. Strike war on the owners of the stray dogs. I blame the owner of the dogs who toss them on the streets hungry. I feel bad for the livestock. The BVI is the way it is because of the cruelty and the way stray animals are treated. Trying to get enough money saved up so I can purchase a piece of land to build a animal sanctuary where all the strays can live out their lives in safety. Let me see anyone including you Farmer doing harm to a stray. I will take pictures and send them to a international news outlet so the world can see how people in Natures Little Secret treat innocent stray animals. It is your call Mr. Farmer. Remember this, even when you don't see or think someone is
  • Cock (28/03/2017, 21:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are the yard fowls and dogs a problem? We have more important issues than to worry about the stray fowls. We need to fix noise nuisance Pickering these bar in the district that won't let u sleep good at night time with loud music after a long day at work operating heavy equipment. These Spanish bar got to realise that there is neighbors in the area that need sleep especially weekdays chan Mon fix that.
  • pico (28/03/2017, 22:02) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    "KILL THE CHICKENS AND THE DOGS BUT SAVE THE SHARKS"
    • rudy (30/03/2017, 15:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      chickens and dogs aren't endangered and don't contribute to the environment. (maybe chickens because they eat insects... but they are EVERYWHERE!)
  • Another animal lover (28/03/2017, 23:51) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    @ Farmer, try your bull.... by harming innocent dogs and I will make sure I start WAR on your behind. Buddy, I have eyes all over and I have a friend who works for CNN that will expose you. I have two stray dogs and two stray cats I took off the street. On my way home one day it was raining and I saw two dogs hurdle together under a tree. I stoped the car, open the door and the dogs jumped in the car.


    • SADDD (29/03/2017, 07:31) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ Another animal lover ;This is part of the reason why the BVI is experiencing some of the troubles we face daily ;DOG and PUSS have more rights than Children. Don't get me wrong ;you picking up two dogs and they "jumped " into your car shows that they were accustomed to be in a vehicle which means they belong to some one .Will you get pet owners to "chip" their pets : how many kids do you offer a ride when it is raining? I know farmers who "pen" their livestock every night ,give them grain /hay /water every morning and to go to them in the morning and meet them mauled /dead. YOU have the gall to say the FARMER IS TRYYING bull ? JUSTICE for LIVESTOCK
      • Another animal lover (29/03/2017, 13:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ SADDD, FYI, I put out flyers of the dogs and no one claimed ownership of the dogs, so I decide to give them a home. At least that is two strays off the street and yes, they are well contain in the back yard. As far as offering kids a ride out of the rain, if I see anyone going towards my neighborhood, be it rain or sun I do offer them a ride.
  • Doctor (29/03/2017, 00:59) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    @ Animal lover ; some how I think you are one of the "confused " people who feel DOGS are man's best friend ; but do you share the same love for the SHEEP ? Some are DEAD , some dont have any face ; their hind legs are mangled ; their Vagies are gone ; the surviors are tramitized .( need you to answer / check witd Agri Dept to visit victims). You sending pics international is neither here or there , remember We ( bvi) is "international " and they do EAT dog on the international market ; look closely @ farmers' comment wher he said " he is going to seek outside help "
  • Animal Lover (29/03/2017, 06:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Doctor, did you not see where I said I felt bad for the livestock?
  • Donk (29/03/2017, 07:10) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    The Demonic cat is to blame
  • HEH (29/03/2017, 09:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dem bahn hey!
  • VG (29/03/2017, 09:21) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is very true, Virgin Gorda have so many dogs that are roaming the streets, they are owned by persons but they are not controling them. I usually exercise in the mornings and am scared to walk certain places. I made a complain more than once to one of the owners, about the dogs that are coming out of his yard into the street to attack me. He told me to get a gun and shoot them, then I would know who they belong to.
    In my neighbour hood the neighbour have a pet bull that is always loose. This is so scary, sometimes am so scared to go walking.
    Another thing is persons are walking their dogs without a leashes. A man was walking two petbulls without leashes one morning, when I saw that I eased into a yard nearby, the gentleman stated calling me and saying you can come.
    After they passed I called out to him and told him am going to report him to the police.
    The polcie even if you repot it they are not doing anything all of these dogs on VG have owners but they art not controling them Please help I want to be healthy and do my exercising freely. Help!

  • son of the soil (29/03/2017, 10:30) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    All these animals born right here so leave them alone, they are natives
  • Afu (29/03/2017, 10:45) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dog owners here in The Valley think it's fun to have their loose pitbulls running off their property and terrorizing innocent passerbys. In the end, it's all gonna turn out tragic. 1- People are either gonna start poisoning the dogs again, or 2- someone's litte child will be walking to school one day, and get viciously malled to death.
    • Reply (29/03/2017, 18:46) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      what???
    • Senses (29/03/2017, 19:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Afu. That is true. That big brown and white pit bull is owned by the people in that property across the street from God Holiness Church on that corner near Passo Road. I've complained about that dog many times and no-one does nothing about it. That dog is going to hurt someone bad.
      • VG (31/03/2017, 15:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        That is the same owner who told me to shoot the dog, then I will know who it belongs to. I have made complaints more than once, that was his reply to me. I dont even walk that road anymore.
        • Across Street At Passo (31/03/2017, 19:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          That vicious brown and white pitbull that's always attacking people near Passo Road, is owned by the people staying in the Waldo O'Neal property across from God Of Holiness Church.
  • COWS COWS COWS (29/03/2017, 12:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    CATTLE IS THE MORE VEXING ISSUE!
  • slim (29/03/2017, 12:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well"THIS IS IT". Dead is Agriculture Department and dying is BVI Rishing Complex.
    Wrong portfolio.
  • JC (12/02/2023, 09:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The roosters are an absolute menace. I see no efforts to control them. Start at 3:30 am and go till dusk. It is the one thing I really dislike about Tortola.


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