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New public pound opened to address stray animal woes

-citizens urged to report roaming livestock seen on private property
A new public pound created in response to the roaming livestock issues across the Virgin Islands (VI), has been officially opened in the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R1) in a May 7, 2021, release from the GUS said the pound will help to alleviate what he referred to as 'a big challenge' regarding stay animals eating crops in the territory. Photo: GIS
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R1) in a May 7, 2021, release from the GUS said the pound will help to alleviate what he referred to as 'a big challenge' regarding stay animals eating crops in the territory. Photo: GIS
PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI - A new public pound created in response to the roaming livestock issue across the Virgin Islands (VI), has been opened in Paraquita Bay, Tortola.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) in a May 7, 2021, release from the GIS said the pound will help to alleviate what he referred to as “a big challenge” regarding stay animals eating crops in the territory. 

“We needed to improve our infrastructure to be able to deal with these stray animals. I am glad that we are getting some of these resources today to be able to address these problems. It is very hard when you plant; you put a lot of time, energy and money into planting just to watch some animals eat your whole garden. It is very difficult,” Dr Wheatley remarked.  

The Minister said he has an unyielding commitment to making sure that agriculture and fisheries are going to be a significant part of the VI economy and society. He said the public pound removes some obstacles from the path to developing the agricultural sector.

Citizens told to report stray animals!

Meanwhile, Director for Agriculture and Fisheries Mr. Theodore E. James called on persons who are affected by roaming livestock and dogs on their private property to notify the department via telephone numbers 468-6123 or 468-6124, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

He said following notification, the Department will dispatch the Animal Control Team to investigate or capture animals.

“Captured animals are processed, publicised, and held. Livestock that is not registered becomes the property of the Crown."

Further, the Director noted, that all animals will be forfeited to the Crown if their owners do not claim them or do not pay the total amount payable for the release of the animal within 21 days from the day the capture was advertised on the pound's notice board. 

35 Responses to “New public pound opened to address stray animal woes”

  • about time (08/05/2021, 19:04) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    A solution, after all these years. Let’s pray it works.
  • about time (08/05/2021, 19:06) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply

    yes, time to lock all these I**** P**** animals up

  • GCB (08/05/2021, 19:08) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    This is a really terrible issue, why only now they fixing it?
  • pat (08/05/2021, 19:08) Like (4) Dislike (21) Reply
    Deport the animal and owner down the islands, if the owner not from there.
    • Okro (09/05/2021, 04:21) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      PAT YOU NEED TO BE CAPTURED AND PUT WITH THE WILD AND STRAY ANIMALS SO YOU CAN COMUNICATE WITH THEM CAUSE YOU ARE AS DUMB
  • smg (08/05/2021, 19:09) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    Them Vincy only got a set of sheep and goats around the place, it sickening.
  • HAHA (08/05/2021, 19:28) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Back in the days there was a black market that was a solution for this problem. Some young men would take these nuisance animals and sell to anybody that wanted beef and mutton especially, for a big discount. The owners couldn't identify their animals by how the goat water look or taste.
  • Police Dawg (08/05/2021, 19:36) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is a whole lot of sheep up in Long Look , Vanterpool and Fat Hogs Bay area that the owner believe live on the road and in people's gardens. Whenever you talk to him about securing these pest all he do is suck he teeth at you and loose them every morning . I hope this issue is addressed.
  • Yes (08/05/2021, 19:57) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    Give them vincy a break before them flip
  • BVI Talk (08/05/2021, 20:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please start in Northsound VG
  • homeboy (08/05/2021, 20:09) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please Sabath hill has lots of goats.Any want goat meat .These goats has no owners. Catch as much as you want.
  • gfdfdggfdgfdgfdg (08/05/2021, 20:11) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah, Ok. They will show up, if at all,
    a day or so later. Cows sheep dogs all gone long time,just like your garden. Another "mekbelief " playing with people.
  • Madussa (08/05/2021, 21:51) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    I have been complaining for years and nothing has been done. A bunch of hot air blowing, that's all. So now after over 20 years of me complaining, you will do something? I will not hold my breath.
  • belle vue (08/05/2021, 21:59) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Come get all these chickens in belle vue. Please and thank you
  • All of you shut the F up (08/05/2021, 22:05) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    I prefer animals than humans. LOOK AT WHAT A BARBARIC PERSON DID TO THAT LADY DOGS THIS MORNING. LOOK AT THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA SOMEONE DID TO THE WOMAM CHILDREN. WHOEVER DID THIS, YOU WILL MEET THE SAME FATE. WE ARE LIVING AMONGST SOME DIRTY JUNGLE SAVAGES IN THE BVI.
    • That is sad (09/05/2021, 00:14) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      Whoever did that, you don’t know how much emotional pain, trauma and stress you have caused those innocent children. Why would someone MURDER THOSE INNOCENT LITTLE DOGS. I HEARD FROM A VERY RELIABLE SOURCE, SOMEONE FROM A POLITICAL PARTY OR IS AFFILIATED TO A POLITICAL PARTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MURDERING THE WOMAN DOGS. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE PAIN HER CHILDREN IS GOING THROUGH. WHEN I SAW HER FACEBOOK PAGE MY HEART SUNK AND I BROKE DOWN IN TEARS.
      • blah (09/05/2021, 10:43) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
        Will y’all just shut up about murder. Murder is killing a human being. Stop trying to compare the killing of an animal with killing a human being. The sick twisted human beings are the ones that keep trying to make these comparison. They treat animals better than their neighbors and ignore the ills of the world but would go the extra mile for an animal.
  • son of the soil (09/05/2021, 00:07) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    dem cow born yah yo know
  • Well Sah (09/05/2021, 00:12) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    instead of repairing schools this minister building cow pen
  • Hmmm (09/05/2021, 01:47) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    There are some always still on the corner up Bellview and in Baughgers Bay. Smoking weed and planning there next robbery. We need them to be taken off the streets. Put them in this pound if Balsam Ghut can't whole them. Thanks.
  • secret (09/05/2021, 02:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another secret VIP plan finally revealed 20 years too late!
  • Hmm (09/05/2021, 07:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them agriculture staffs going pound them and after couple months they going slaughter them and sell to make easy money
  • Observer (09/05/2021, 08:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    A contact number is needed to reach Animal Control Team on the weekends. Lots of people are home then witnessing the destruction by the stray animals.
  • Sal (09/05/2021, 09:03) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    To the man in Carrot Bay that likes tying his donkey on his neighbor's property, this is for you. BE WARNED!, DONKEY FOR SALE. COST:
    FREE FOR ANYONE THAT NEEDS TRANSPORTATION UP THE HILLSIDE.
    • farmer (09/05/2021, 13:03) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Sal. Drop the donkey by the Pier Park to ANY ferry going. VG I know a partner up there want one . Yea. A one way ticket He will pay for the passage
  • Twenty Four (09/05/2021, 10:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need a twenty four hour hotline.
  • Sirius (09/05/2021, 19:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please round up the goats at Brandywine Bay.
  • Deh Watcha (10/05/2021, 20:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I remember some years back when the lady was "attacked" by either a bull or a cow.

    Big thing in Legislative Council back then, even passed a law. Paido even sang a song about it "bull attack". Nothing else came out of it, same as with this pound. Wonder how much was paid for that.
  • prepare (11/05/2021, 02:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please round up the stray dogs in Pockwood pond.
  • good (11/05/2021, 17:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great. Finally. Hopefully these animal owners will keep their animals tied now.
  • SB (11/05/2021, 22:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now we’ll see if the minister can get elected dogcatcher.


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