Corporation files case against dog owner

Shahida Baksh, 49, of Rushworth Street, San Fernando, failed to show up before Magistrate Indira Misir-Gosine whilst four health Inspectors from the San Fernando City Corporation were present to give evidence about unkept premises and undernourished dogs.

The corporation had been making vain efforts to get the woman to clean the garage which, according to the complaint, is filthy and unhealthy. The coporation’s health inspectors visited the premises on March 7, 2013 and again on July 16, 2014. On July 30, a Statutory notice was prepared and sent by registered mail to Baksh.

On October 2, 2014, a complaint was laid in the magistrates’ court, San Fernando, against Baksh, claiming that she had confined, a number of undernourished and dirty dogs in an unsanitary garage. According to court records, the case was called on several occasions between October 2014 and March 16, 2017.

Yesterday, when the case was called, Baksh did not appear but, her attorney Jeevan Andrew Rampersad represented her and explained to Misir-Gosine that Baksh was unable to attend on the grounds of a medical condition. Attorney Rondell Donawa, appearing with attorney Prakash Maharaj for the corporation, objected, saying that the matter had been pending since 2013 and it was set for trial. The magistrate noted that there had been a string of medical notes on record as to why she had not been attending the court. Attorney Rampersad, however, said that if there were still any issues regarding the state of the property and care of the animals, he would convey to Baksh the need to comply.

Misir-Gosine postponed the matter until next week Tuesday.