TTSPCA head: Lock up animal abusers

“We get a lot of reports where people mistreating their animals, beating them mercilessly, tying them up in the sun and rain. We see animals come to us decomposing, rottening (sic), walking skeletons. It really, really sad and it shows the mind set of persons out there towards animals,” she said.

She explained that to change this mind set the attitude of persons must change and lamented that this “Third World thinking” and culture of a lack of respect towards animals dates back to when she was a little girl.

“How do you get people to change their culture and their thinking? They really need to be God fearing and they need to want to treat animals...and nature on the whole the way they would love to be treated,” she said.

Sirju added: “I would rejoice the day I see laws implemented in Trinidad and Tobago. There are no laws so people don’t care. And I know for a fact if laws start to be implemented people will get their act together. They will shape up with (respect) to animals.” Section 79 of the Summary Offences Act states that: “Any person who cruelly beats, ill-treats, starves, over- drives, overrides, overloads, abuses, tortures, or otherwise maltreats any animal is liable to a fine of $400 or to imprisonment for two months.” Sirju, however, said it was sad that laws to protect animals are outdated and not enforced.

“Maybe the system doesn’t see animals as a priority on their list and it is time for them to open their eyes and people need to be penalised for animal abuse. They need to be splashed on the front page of the newspaper just like crime because it is a crime. And they need to be put in prison and charged fines,” she said. Sirju was speaking with Sunday Newsday following the blessing of the Animals: Remembering and Honouring St Francis of Assisi held yesterday at The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain.

Sirju brought two month-old kitten sisters Precious and Peaches and one year and a half old “pothound” Knox to be blessed. The three animals are all looking for homes.

She praised the blessing of the animals saying it “sends to message to people that we need to think about the animals more and inevitably care for them more and let them know that they are life created just like us and they have a right to similar things that we enjoy like food, water and shelter and love and care.” Officiating at the event was Fr Carl Williams, Rector of Holy Trinity Cathedral. He explained that it is to celebrate the life of St Francis of Assisi who is patron saint of animals, and said it is important for them to gather to celebrate with thanksgiving the life of God’s creations.