Topic: Department of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture working to address Grand Cayman’s whitefly infestation
The spiral whitefly can significantly reduce crop yields. In response to a dramatic increase in the pest, the Department of Agriculture has launched an operation to spray infested plants across Grand Cayman.
Government to proceed with feral chicken cull
Government is moving toward the launch of a feral chicken culling programme, following Cayman's first-ever bird flu outbreak.
Movement of live poultry banned in Cayman amid bird flu outbreak
In an attempt to stop transmission of avian flu between the islands, the Department of Agriculture has suspended all movement of live poultry between Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Multi-agency response launched as bird flu detected in Cayman
Local birds in Grand Cayman have tested positive for avian influenza, prompting a multi-agency response led by Hazard Management Cayman Islands.
Department of Agriculture hopes a walk on the beach leads to adoption
The Department of Agriculture is hosting adoption events, highlighting their commitment to rehoming dogs rather than euthanising them.
Meet, greet and walk with puppies on Sunday morning
The Department of Agriculture is hosting a "Puppies on the Beach" event starting at 8am on Sunday, 10 Aug. in an effort to find adoptive homes for them
Cattle breeding initiative set to boost local herds, cut imports
Explore the benefits of Red Poll cattle in the Cayman Islands, including better meat quality and reduced reliance on imports.
New director of agriculture making food security a priority
Wilbur Welcome, the new director of the Department of Agriculture, says that bolstering Cayman’s food security will be a major priority under his leadership.
UCCI envisions 1,000 greenhouses to help Cayman’s food security
A new training programme planned by the University College of the Cayman Islands aims to help create 1,000 greenhouses on island in a bid to bolster local food security and sustainability.
Vet shortages approaching crisis point amid government delays
A recruitment crisis in the vet industry in Cayman is putting animals and businesses at risk, with hiring challenges in the key profession compounded by delays in appointing a new Vet Board to process applications.
Under crush of stray litters, animal groups forge ahead
Animal-welfare organisations throughout the Cayman Islands are struggling to meet the ever-growing challenge of having too many abandoned cats and dogs.
Humane Society overwhelmed with animals despite full shelter
Even after announcing last week that its shelter was so full it couldn't take any more animals, the Cayman Islands Humane Society squeezed in a few more over the weekend.
Starved dog inspires ‘Justice for Wilbur’ campaign
A group of local residents has begun a campaign to seek stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws to help protect dogs like Wilbur, who died earlier this month after being found starving and severely emaciated in Prospect.
Department of Agriculture to open cat pounds
Plans are afoot to open pounds for feral or stray cats at the Department of Agriculture facilities on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.
Animal welfare officer urges public to report cruelty
The government’s senior animal welfare officer has urged the public to report any instances of animal cruelty or neglect to the Department of Agriculture.
Animal charities warn of ‘overrun’ feral cat population amid new rules
Cayman's animal charities say new regulations banning the release of stray animals after they have been captured for spaying or neutering purposes will lead to an explosion in the feral cat population in Grand Cayman.
Dead dog found dumped in bag on Barefoot Beach
A group of friends taking a stroll along Barefoot Beach in East End on Saturday afternoon came across a gruesome discovery - the body of a dead dog inside a black canvas bag.
Feral cat culling resumes on Little Cayman
A cull of feral cats on Little Cayman resumed this month after government and local animal charities came to an agreement almost four years after a plan to control the island's cat population was stalled, due to a legal challenge brought by the charities to stop the animals being killed.
Special report: Overpopulation fuelling animal abuse and neglect
Cayman’s long, ongoing issue with animal abuse and neglect is reaching ‘crisis point’, according to the leaders of multiple non-profit organisations.
DoA appeals for information after dog carcass dumped in West Bay
The Department of Agriculture has appealed to the community for information related to a dog carcass found dumped on a dyke road off Barkers Park in West Bay on Monday.
$3 million for farmers impacted by TS Grace
Government has allocated $3 million dollars in relief support for commercial farmers impacted by the recent passage of Tropical Storm Grace.
Thank you, Department of Agriculture
After the passing of Tropical Storm Grace, my farm crops and trees were devastated to the point that I was ready to throw the...
Dept. of Agriculture ordered to stop collecting personal data
The ombudsman has issued an enforcement order to the Department of Agriculture to stop collecting personal data from customers purchasing its retail items, after it failed to comply with an earlier recommendation to cease gathering the information.
Happy ending for 42 dogs seized in animal cruelty case
In May, the Department of Agriculture confiscated 53 dogs from a Prospect home. Shortly after the seizure, an outbreak of the parvo virus – a deadly, incurable and highly contagious canine disease –forced the DoA to quarantine their kennels.
69 animal cruelty or neglect cases reported in 2018
The Department of Agriculture dealt with 69 reports of animal cruelty or neglect in 2018 and recommended five of those cases to be put forward for prosecution.
RCIPS holds community clinics
Last week, the West Bay community police officers carried out community clinics in different locations, with several more anticipated throughout the summer.
3 seized dogs die, others see ‘significant improvement’
Three of the 53 dogs taken by police in the islands’ largest-ever seizure of mistreated canines earlier this month have succumbed to Parvovirus infection, but authorities say “significant improvement” has been observed in the overall health and condition of other dogs since arriving at the shelter.
Police seize 53 dogs from Prospect residence
Police made their largest ever seizure of mistreated dogs on May 6 at a Prospect area residence, confiscating 53 animals, many of which were in poor health. They reported the incident late Friday.
EDITORIAL – Working together to promote animal welfare
Last year, DoA impounded 388 dogs, according to records reviewed by the Compass. That is more than a dog per day – far too many for our little island.
Euthanasia of dogs and cats drops significantly
Euthanasia of dogs and cats in Grand Cayman has been reduced by 75% over the last four years according to figures analysed by the Cayman Compass as part of an open records request.
Facebook threat lands dog owner in court
A poorly judged Facebook comment landed a woman in court Thursday.
Pet owner disputes account in case of euthanized dogs
A local pet owner is disputing the account of the Department of Agriculture regarding an incident this week in which three dogs were seized and ultimately euthanized.
EDITORIAL – Roaming dogs: The responsibilities of pet ownership
But it is undeniable that dog owners have a legal and societal responsibility to look after their pets, and to make sure they are not a public nuisance or potential threat.
More dog attacks reported
Police said they responded to several “ferocious dog” reports over the weekend around Cayman.
Cops, Department of Agriculture bust cockfighting ring
A joint operation by police and Department of Agriculture officers has led to the arrest of a Bodden Town resident on suspicion of animal cruelty.
Department of Agriculture seizes roaming dogs
Four dogs were seized from their owners last week after police officers and Department of Agriculture staff visited local neighborhoods to spread advice about responsible dog ownership.
PAWS washes dogs for a good cause
The Protection of Animal Welfare Society, known as PAWS, held a free community dog wash in East End over the Heroes Day weekend. Susanna Gatta, one of the organization’s co-founders, said that more than 25 dogs were washed and registered with PAWS over the course of the event.
Letter: Ambushed by wild dogs
How many people will have to be attacked before the dogs are taken care of properly?
Stray dogs terrorize neighborhoods
Animal control officers are trying to trap a pack of stray dogs that has been terrorizing a Grand Cayman neighborhood.
16 shih tzu dogs removed from home
The Department of Agriculture removed 16 shih tzu dogs, aged between one and three years old, from a home in George Town.
EDITORIAL – Christmas trees: Bugs or humbug?
This year, only 1,500 Christmas trees will be available for sale in Cayman, half the number of the previous year.
Something is clearly wrong here.
First Christmas trees arrive on island
Hurley’s market will be bathed in the scent of pine as Christmas trees arrive at the store this weekend, after the trees are inspected for bugs and cleared.
Letter: DoA explains import rules for Christmas trees
The potential economic and environmental impacts of invasive pests are real and serious.
DoA Christmas Tree
Today's editorial cartoon.
EDITORIAL – Red tape strangles Cayman’s supply of Christmas trees
Christmas trees are supposed to be wrapped in colorful lights and garlands – not bureaucratic red tape.
Christmas tree shortage expected this year
Citing difficulties in dealing with regulatory requirements, most of the vendors that usually provide Christmas trees have said they will not be doing so this year.
32 dogs surrendered to Department of Agriculture
Animal lovers stepped up over the past few days to offer foster homes to the majority of 32 dogs that were surrendered to the Department of Agriculture last week.
Homes sought for 32 dogs surrendered to Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture removed 32 dogs from a single home in Cayman on Wednesday and issued an appeal to local animal welfare societies to try to find homes for them.
Owner surrenders 6 pitbull mix dogs
Police and Department of Agriculture officers last week removed six pitbull mix dogs from their owner in West Bay following complaints about “ferocious dogs” attacking people and other dogs in the neighborhood.
Authorities ask public to be alert about cockfighting
The Department of Agriculture and Royal Cayman Islands Police Service issued an advisory Friday urging Cayman residents to report information it may have about cockfighting.
Animal cruelty charges brought against police constable
A 26-year-old George Town man has been charged with one count of animal cruelty following a Department of Agriculture investigation into an incident from December of last year.
Man suspected of cockfighting operation
Police recovered 40 roosters at a North Sound Road address and arrested a 32-year-old George Town man on suspicion of crimes related to cockfighting on Wednesday, June 6.
No rules for dog breeders
There is currently no licensing regime for dog breeders in the Cayman Islands, despite the provision being part of the Animals Law for more than 15 years.
Police break up cockfighting ring
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service announced on Thursday that officers arrested a man on March 21 in connection with an illegal cockfighting ring.
Weekend Mail Call: ‘Catfight’ on the Sister Islands
The Compass editorial “Catfight on the sister Islands” had readers talking this week, as animal advocates took to the courts to halt government’s plan to cull booming feral cat populations.
Cat fight
Today's editorial cartoon
Feral cats
Today's editorial cartoon
EDITORIAL – ‘Catfight’ on the Sister Islands
The claws came out last week in discussions about how best to control the Sister Islands’ booming feral cat populations when animal advocates turned to the courts to stop the Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment from culling the strays.
Feral cat challenge questions legality of cull
A legal challenge to the culling of feral cats on the Sister Islands has raised questions about the legality of such animal control methods under Cayman Islands law.
Cayman prepares for 51st Agriculture Show
Exhibitors are lining up, farmers are grooming prize bulls, and the Department of Agriculture is getting its plants and trees ready for the 2018 Agriculture Show, which gets under way on Ash Wednesday.
Stray dogs rounded up after man bitten
Police and Department of Agriculture officers rounded up three stray dogs after a cyclist in West Bay reported being bitten and chased by the dogs.
‘Ferocious dog’ attacks young girl
A young girl was seriously injured in an attack by a dog on Birch Avenue in Prospect Wednesday evening. Police said the unnamed 8-year-old child had “a very serious bite to her ear,” as well as several other bites from the “ferocious dog.”
One out of 105 animal cruelty cases prosecuted
Out of more than 100 Department of Agriculture reports of animal cruelty and neglect cases in the past two years, one case has resulted in charges being filed in Summary Court.
Pests threaten Christmas tree imports
Cayman families hoping to unwrap their presents under a real Christmas tree this year could be out of luck.
Quarantine set up for pets from hurricane zones
The Department of Agriculture has established a temporary quarantine facility for pets from hurricane disaster areas that do not meet existing import conditions.
4-legged hurricane evacuees touch down in Cayman
A charter plane filled with displaced people, and some four legged refugees, from hurricane-hit British Virgin Islands touched down in the Cayman Islands Wednesday night.
Bail granted 4th time in ‘sugar glider’ case
Police have extended bail for the fourth time for the suspects involved in the alleged smuggling of an exotic pet known as a “sugar glider” into Cayman. “The suspects’ bail has been extended until Oct. 4 and no charges have been filed as yet."
Dog-burning case turned over to prosecutors
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is now considering the cases of two dogs injured in separate burning incidents. The Department of Agriculture recently wrapped up its investigation into the injured animal Rufus, a dog brought to the Cayman Islands Humane Society on Aug. 8. No arrests were made as a result of the investigation.
Another dog brought to Humane Society with extensive 2nd-degree burns
Another dog – the second in three months – has been brought to the Cayman Islands Humane Society with an extensive burn injury. The most recently injured dog, Rufus, was brought in last Tuesday and immediately sent to Island Veterinary Services for treatment.
After series of dog attacks, police warn owners of ‘obligations’
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and Department of Agriculture released a statement Friday reminding pet owners of their obligations after a spate of pet attacks in Cayman this year.
Campaign billboards could become chicken coops
A community activist is seeking to transform plywood election campaign banners into chicken coops as part of a planned project to domesticate feral chickens in George Town.
Man arrested in dog burning case
An 18-year-old North Side resident has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty in connection with the case surrounding a dog that was burned earlier this month, police reported on Monday.
