Updated dog control laws coming

THE government is conducting a review of legislation that governs dog control, stray and dangerous dogs with the view to make necessary amendments and/or upgrades, taking into consideration new technology, to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

So said Government leader Dr Amery Browne, as he responded in the Senate on Tuesday to a question on behalf of the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government.

Independent Senator Paul Richards, noting public concerns about the rising number of stray days, had asked about the reasons for the inefficient execution of duties by regional bodies in collecting and caring for stray dogs.

Browne said the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, which in conjunction with all 14 municipal corporations was primarily responsible for the implementation and effective administration of stray dog control measures, had funded the construction of the San Fernando dog pound which was completed in 2022 at a cost of $1.292 million as well as a perimeter wall, constructed in 2023 at a cost of $391,350.

To service the northern corporations, the ministry had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Trinidad and Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA) and provided financial assistance to the TTSPCA in the sum of $508,457 to assist it with maintenance repairs and ongoing operational expenses. The following additional plans and programmes are also in progress:

—a review of legislation that governs dog control, stray and dangerous dogs with the view to make necessary amendments and or upgrades, taking into consideration new systems and new technology to ensure efficiency and effectiveness;

—an assessment of the feasibility of the four shared pound facilities, including a review of operations, staffing and management of these facilities and in the dog control units of the various regional corporations;

—development of protocols and guidelines to provide operational standards for the proper care of animals and the facility, adhering to internationally recognised guidelines;

—the establishment of the National Dog Control database, which will hold information on all registered dangerous dogs, including registration details, microchip numbers, breeds, and year of birth;

—a review of the role and responsibilities of the dog control units in light of the local government reform process

—the development of training programmes to ensure the safety of dog control officers and other handlers and staff of pound facilities and dog control units;

—and the preparation of a public awareness campaign inclusive of education drives on spay and neuter, responsible dog ownership, public responsibility under the Act, the role of Government agencies, ministries, corporations, and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, NGOs, and a special campaign targeting schools.

Richards recalled in a recent interview the director of the TTSPCA indicated that there had been a marked increase in stray dogs and cats reported in several divisions in Trinidad and Tobago.

“So the question is, is the ministry in touch with the TTSPCA in terms of what is happening on the ground despite the provisions and the plans that you’ve outlined?” Richards asked.

“The answer to the question most directly is ‘yes’. The ministry and the minister are in touch with the TTSPCA on all observations and developments with respect to stray animals, dogs, cats, et cetera. So there is awareness and communication and the factors remarked upon by the senator are exactly what would be triggering the processes that I have outlined, the seven additional plans and programmes, including the public awareness campaign and a focus on the responsibilities of citizens and owners of animals with respect to contributing to this social challenge that the senator has flagged,” Browne said.

In response to another question from Richards, he said he could not validate the claim that regional authorities had abdicated their duties on the issue since the Covid-19 pandemic.

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