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Agriculture Department receiving reports of increased dog attacks in VI

-Increased incidents of roaming livestock also being reported, according to Dept Director Mr Theodore E. James
Owners of dogs and livestock in the Virgin Islands (VI) are being urged to be responsible and proactive in ensuring their animals are secured, in particular, vicious dogs to prevent harm to humans, other animals, and damage to property. Photo: Internet Source
This comes as Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr. Theodore James said the department has been receiving complaints of increased dog attacks and incidents where livestock are left roaming freely. Photo: GIS/File
This comes as Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr. Theodore James said the department has been receiving complaints of increased dog attacks and incidents where livestock are left roaming freely. Photo: GIS/File
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI - Owners of dogs and livestock in the Virgin Islands (VI) are being urged to be responsible and proactive in ensuring their animals are secured, in particular, vicious dogs to prevent harm to humans, other animals, and damage to property.

This comes as Director of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr Theodore E. James in a notice today, July 26, 2023, said the department has been receiving complaints of increased dog attacks and incidents where livestock are left roaming freely.

He said in some instances, animals have been invading properties and destroying vegetation such as vegetables and ornamental plants.

Mr James said that according to the Pounds and Livestock Brands Act, 2004 Arrangement of Section 3: Any animal found straying in a public place may be captured and impounded by any person, and dealt with in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Regulations.

Further, an animal found trespassing on any private land may be captured and impounded by the occupier of the private land or by any person that the occupier may call upon to assist him to capture or impound the animal, including an authorised person; and dealt with in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Regulations.

Secure vicious dogs - Mr Theodore 

“We are appealing to owners to ensure their animals are always secured to prevent vicious dog attacks,” the Director said.

“These incidents are becoming too frequent, where persons are injured and traumatised. Vehicle collision and damage to water pipes and gardens are the types of reports we get involving cattle, sheep, and goats,” Mr James said, adding that his department is working closely with the police to assist in enforcing the laws. 

According to the Dogs (Prevention of Injury to Persons, Livestock and Poultry) Act, 2001, it is illegal to have dogs on the beach outside the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Further, Dog owners must keep their pets on a leash at all times when outside of their premises. Failure to abide by this law will result in a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).

Mr James is also urging owners to microchip their dogs and register them with the department where they can then attach the registration tag to their dogs' collars.

9 Responses to “Agriculture Department receiving reports of increased dog attacks in VI”

  • VG CONCERN (26/07/2023, 19:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    My daughter came home bawling from the chasing dogs by the Catholic Church in vg they chase the car to.
  • Lawless (26/07/2023, 19:34) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    People have become lawless and irresponsible in this place. Most of them who own pets & livestock, can't even take care of the animals properly. Is either some of them does tie up the poor animals without food and water,while some allow the animals to roam freely....becoming a nuisance to property owners.
  • ok (26/07/2023, 20:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good article. Some dog owners are set in their ways of yester years and have their dogs roaming thru neighbourhoods and won't listen to keep their dogs home. For God's sake this is the 21st century.
  • WO (26/07/2023, 22:19) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Put them to sleep
    I mean the owners
  • Yes (27/07/2023, 00:16) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    it is a big problem in the country I was on my regular morning walk Friday morning two ???? dog's large one a pit bull and some other big dog the only thing I could have done is call out for Jesus and try keeping them off of me they just turn and went they way this is serious people need to be more careful with their dogs it is only Jesus that protect me that morning
  • Woof (27/07/2023, 06:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Maybe if the government would pass some legislation to support only licensed dog breeding then maybe there wouldn’t be so many dangerous dogs here. The attitude towards spay and neutering needs to change.
  • Me (27/07/2023, 08:48) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    What they should do is make laws that protect animals and prevent them from being tormented and kept in such deplorable conditions, animals not only need water and food, here there are many cases that need attention and fines the owners for having these animals in conditions that are not good????
  • Horse Path (27/07/2023, 17:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE HAVE SOME AT HORSE PATH THAT DO NOT HAVE OWNERS
    THEY ARE ATTACKING RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IN THE AREA. ISOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THEM.
  • fred (27/07/2023, 18:02) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Everyone always going on about dogs while goat roam the islands eating everything and walking out in traffic.


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