Dog owners are being urged to responsible and not let their animals roam free to chase and frighten people.
The request comes from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and the Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Unit.
Several complaints have been received by the RCIPS over the past few weeks in relation to animals running around with their owners taking no responsibility for their actions. The RCIPS would like to remind the community that there are laws against not taking proper care of your dog; anyone found guilty of permitting an animal to stray in the community could be liable to a $500 fine. If an animal is deemed to be dangerous or out of control in a public place the person in charge of it could be subject to a $4000 fine or six months in prison.
If an animal hurts a person, the person in charge could face up to two years in prison. There are also laws against cruelty and mistreatment of pets.
Aside from the legal aspect, allowing a dog to stray can also put the animal in danger, explained Animal Welfare Officer Maggie Baldino.
‘The dog could be exposed to parasites, disease and poisons,’ she said. ‘In addition they are more likely to be hit by vehicles, exposed to attacks and indeed there is a much increased chance of unwanted breeding taking place.’
Owners could also face having to look for their animal if they let it run loose as there is a strong possibility it could be trapped and impounded.
To reduce the chances of animals straying, owners are urged to close gates, fence the yard, use a kennel and take pets on scheduled walks for essential exercise.
Anyone who wants to report stray dogs or dog attacks should contact the RCIPS on 949-4222. If a dog strays into your yard you can call the Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Unit on 947-3090 to have a trap set. If your dog is missing, please contact the Department of Agriculture Pound to see if they have it as well as the Humane Society.
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