Over 50 dogs found caged in Prospect home
Some dogs were of purebred or mixed breeds
(CNS): At least one small dog had to be euthanised and more may follow after the police, the departments of agriculture, environmental health and planning raided a house in Prospect on Monday. The officials found 53 dogs, all of which were small breeds, in crates and cages in a poorly ventilated room and an unsanitary situation. The collection of Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Dachshund and Pekingese, which were of pure and mixed breeds, were said to be in held in “unacceptable conditions” and have all been taken to the DoA, where they are being treated by vets.
Police said they obtained a warrant to enter the house based on information provided by the Department of Agriculture’s (DOA) Animal Welfare Unit. A 54-year-old woman, said to be the owner of the dogs, has been warned for intended prosecution.
Several dogs per cage were cramped together (click to enlarge)
The seized dogs were all generally in poor health, with matted hair and suffering from alopecia (hair loss), suggesting demodectic mange. Police said the animals all appeared to have external parasites, such as ticks and fleas, and most had significant to serious dental issues and various eye problems. The dogs were immediately assessed and triaged by a DoA veterinary officer, and the two most severe cases were sent urgently to a local veterinary clinic.
However, after they were assessed one of the dogs was found to be in such poor condition and its prognosis for recovery was so bad that a decision was taken to humanely euthanize the animal. Several more of the little dogs are also in a bad way but they continue to receive care from vets at the DoA.
Dogs were found in small cages in rooms with inadequate ventilation (click to enlarge)
“This seizure is the largest we have ever had of dogs taken from one residence,” said DoA Assistant Director Brian Crichlow. “The health of the animals and conditions in which they were kept are disturbing. They do not appear to have been given appropriate preventative health care, and as a result the prognosis of the some of the animals is poor, despite the continuous veterinary care they have been receiving since Monday.”
Deputy Police Commissioner Kurt Walton pointed to the importance of government departments working together on these type of cases.
“This scale of this seizure illustrates just how necessary a multi-agency approach is to addressing the most serious animal control and welfare issues, and while many of these crimes are summary offences, they still pose threats to the overall health of a community,” he stated. “The DoA is an important partner and we will continue to work closely to address such animal welfare and cruelty cases and take necessary enforcement action.”
Officials said that some of the dogs will need to be adopted and once they have been treated information will be released to the public about how they can offer a new caring home for the animals.
It’s ironic that another dog business is advertising on Facebook while this is going on. I hope that these dogs are adopted overseas because I see people here always think they are so cute as puppies and then when they get an adult , that’s it. I’ve seen it so many times. The dogs are roaming all over the place killing other people’s animals and/or biting people, or they have them tied up all of the time. I see someone on the Brac wants one. There are enough of them in Cayman Brac that need adopting as well.
Does anyone know if she is still operating a business? Also are there any dogs left at her house of horrors? I guess politicians don’t care about this because animals can’t vote. Sad state of affairs on this island. Priorities screwed up! Hey Eden is this ok with you? He won’t see this he is probably reading his bible.
She is still operating a business. There are between 3 and 9 large breed dogs still at her house.
And what of the other dogs she still has at her house?
CNS can you please continue to keep this cruelty of 50 dogs in the view of your readers until who is responsible for correcting and corrects the issue .
CNS: We will try.
Put her in one of these cages for one Week with a cup of water and 2 doggie biscuits!! Dat will lern err!
Curious to know when the remaining dogs that are still at the property will be removed………
This is sickening and absolutely disgraceful. When will Cayman begin to take animal abuse seriously and start prosecuting those involved? My heart bleeds to read such awful headlines.
No enforcement of existing laws. No persecution of the criminal because it would be against the Pirate code and its all just a cultural misunderstanding. Cayman is still a third world island complete with third world people, government, law enforcement, and fear of the future. Plan accordingly.
Cayman grow some balls. This is abuse through and through for profit. This woman did not care how these animals suffered as long as she could sit on her ass and not have to get a proper job like therest of the law abiding citizens. PUT HER IN JSIL THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE
Apparently this woman ran a business and sold dogs and even had a website, DOA should investigate people who has license to sell dogs and run a yearly audit of the health and environment for these dogs, stuff like this could been avoided if they were monitored. As for the owner, she should be locked up for a very long time these poor dogs don’t deserve this, lock her away and throw away the keys for a very long time.
I hope this don’t go unpunished and get a slap in the wrist.
It’s really sad what’s really going on in cayman with animals, it hurts me to see the dogs and cats go through so much pain because the owner doesn’t want to take responsibility for them.
People whose dogs have gone missing- should check to see if their dog is among these
dogs that were rescued.
Now, how am I supposed to force my neighbor to sell his house without being able to have dog parties and constant barking at my house 24/7?
This back yard breeding is being partially driven by an overly restrictive and costly importation process. If changes were made to the applicable laws then many of these operations would simply fade away.
These operations can be done lawfully, without cruelty and abuse. It does need to be licensed. If we enforced all our laws all of the time there would be few issues.
Hi S Adopt don’t Shop thank you for such a message I just hope something will be done to rectify the issue.
But what I really wanted to mention to CNS about contacting the authorizes to deal with the problem should we encounter such issue going on.
For years we have been complaining to all the authorizes and more even have gone to court because our neighbor has been doing the same thing for the past seven years and NO ONE I MEAN NO ONE CARES OR WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
So it does not matter to any one in authority that these issues are going on.
This is so wrong. Nothing in the bible about treating dogs properly so all ok on island
Your an idiot
*you’re*
Just sayin’……….
I think they are more of a realist personally.
and you cannot spell you’re
Grammar….
Let me guess, some red eyed person (who probably sells dogs as well) didn’t like to see this owner make huge profits off of 53 small dogs 😏
It was too much to handle, so the police was called in to get rid of the rival. Its nothing new in the rat race.
Am I wrong?
Yes. You have the same morals and ethics as the scumbag that got caught. All about the dollars – don’t give sh$t about the suffering and exploitation. Probably wouldn’t give a toss if it were humans or drugs – longs as it made “huge profits”.
Dead wrong bobo
ADOPT – DON’T SHOP!
Without taking away any of the blame and shame on this Prospect woman, part of the problem exists because other people foolishly buy them. Not only do we need to prosecute and fully criminalise these puppy mills, but those purchasing the poor dogs too.
Its clear to see that they weren’t kept and raised properly, hopefully they will make full recoveries, but who knows how badly bred they were? What genetic disorders they might have?
If genuine and caring breeders want to continue breeding dogs in safe, humane conditions then get them to apply and pay for a license from DoA and a T&B.
I dont know what the duty or fee’s are to import animals on island, but I bet we see a drastic decrease in the needless imports if there was a $1000 levy on each!
Dogs aren’t consumable toys, for many they are valued members of the household and must be treated as such. We have had an excess of dogs (and cats) for many years, this only compounds the problem that multiple agencies are trying to deal with. ADOPT FROM THE CIHS, PAWS, ODAAT ETC, DON’T SHOP FROM THESE GREEDY PUPPY MILLS!
PERHAPS CNS COULD TELL US HOW/WHERE/WHO WE CAN REPORT THE PUPPY MILL SELLERS THAT WE SO OFTEN SEE ON FACEBOOK AND ECAY?
CNS: I can only suggest that you report it to the police – here’s how to submit a tip;
report to the Department of Agriculture – here’s how to report animal cruelty;
and the Department of Commerce and Investment – here’s the contact us page which includes an email for enforcement.
Many thanks for your advice CIS – it is correct and very helpful, but we face a bigger issue. Persons have been reporting things to those three agencies for decades and they rarely do anything, and when they do, it is totally ineffective. Who is there to force these agencies to do their jobs!
CNS: You can actually complain to the ombudsman if you don’t feel that any of these entities are not doing their job, though you will probably have to go through the internal complaints process first. See here.
All those people who have purchased small-breed dogs locally, usually for over $1,000.00, need to understand that they are contributing to the conditions these poor dogs have been living in.
Furthermore, your hard-earned money is being taken by someone who is selling you a mutt, a mixed breed mongrel, whose parents have been so inbred that their health is compromised, instead of having the good health that typically comes with mixed-breed dogs.
The dogs shown in the second photo of this article have their tongues hanging out. It’s not because they are panting or thinking about licking something; it’s because they have no teeth to hold their tongues in their mouths.
Please understand that dogs are no more than a business commodity to those who sell them. Your purchase directly funds this cycle.
If you truly care about dogs, please, please, stop buying them.
Not necessarily. Sometimes there are just puppies and it’s not an enrichment scheme. Serious breed-specific dog lovers are smart enough to visit the household and litter before weening and before laying a deposit. 50 dogs in cages should be a noticeable red flag.
These poor animals. The owner should be charged with more than animal cruelty. This is obviously a business for her. Did she have a trade and business licence? What about how did she accept the money from clients? If this is an illegal business, did she deposit the money in banks, that’s money laundering.
Let’s not go light on these things.
11:46AM , your are right that more than dog cruelty charges should be brought against her . If they confiscated phone you could see that there was more than animals cruelty going on . If DOA don’t put a stop to this kind of thing and start teaching people it will get worse .
Abuse on this scale should be prison time per the Animals Law, not a warning. The CAVO needs to be terminated. Our laws are useless only because every enforcement official feels they some benevolent community-building discretion to waive and/or dilute the prescribed sanctions written into the law.
Enough is enough, no more slaps on the wrist. An example needs to be made of this person so that everyone henceforth will know that if you abuse animals in this manner you will pay a very hefty price.
Name and shame this person please!
CNS will be waiting until they are charged, unlike CMR.
Lock the owner of the dogs in a cage for A long long time.
Please check the caged dogs in the yard on Ithmar circle too.
Puppy mill! Disgusting! How can someone treat animals in this way? Heartless greed!!
Will the DCI prosecute her for running a business without a license?
No. Not if it might upset a voter, or the friend or relative of a voter. Public beach or all the fronting going on all over town is all the evidence you need that they prosecute no-one, ever.
She should have been taken away before the dogs no reason to warn her she needs to be locked up.
All this suffering to make an easy buck. Pathetic. Idiots fuel this setup, idiots run these setups, simple as that.
That is cruel and a shame that this kind of behavior of cruelty continues on the Islands, and will not stop until DOA start prosecuting people for it and jailing them .
Think about a dog as a living thing , would you treat your children like that ? Would you take your children and tie them up and neglect them ? Those dogs have the same feeling as your children but they can’t talk to you. That is why you have to bond with them to understand them .
“Would you take your children and tie them up and neglect them ?”
I’m assuming you are aware that yes, yes indeed people do this to kids and their very own kids too! And worse. I have no explanation, no wise or encouraging words to say about this subject it’s just incredibly sad is all.
The person keeping the dogs might be suffering from severe mental health problems.
If greed can be considered a mental health problem then I believe you may be correct.
So clearly must be selling them. This ought to be so much more than a trivial crime.
She got a warning. No criminal treatment or record.
A 54 year old woman has been warned for intended prosecution….. You have to be kidding me!
Arrest her right now, put her in a 4′ x 4′ x 4′ cage and leave her in the middle of Camana Bay for everyone to see for the whole of the day. Bet she’ll think twice about doing that again.
….with only table scraps and muddy water to drink.
Put a TV next to the cage and force her to watch and listen to The View and the Wendy Williams Show.
Sad but this is where our society is heading. Check out all the Christian schools encouraging children in jr. batabano. Really??? What do think the end results will be when these children grow up? Disappointed in the schools that are allowing our children to participate in such a vulgar event that provides nothing pertaining to education. More than dogs in cages to come.
An opportunity for children to show off their creativity by designing and wearing costumes that celebrate local culture is truly a moral abomination
Caymankind
Such an act of cruelty towards these poor dogs.
One more here to willing to adopt one or 2.
I would like to have 2
Lets just hope they all get adopted up in the US as smaller dogs are pretty easy to adopt up there. There’s already enough dogs in the shelter that get over-looked. Best think I’ve done in a long time was adopt my foster failure. She’s sleeping on my feet as I type this. It’s not like you can have any fun on this island anymore, not so long ago on a Friday night I’d be getting lit up and up to all sorts of trouble back in the good old (Bacchus, Bamboo, Aqua Beach, Ritz, OBar, A La Kebab) days. Feel sorry for the current youngsters… blame Dart for the lack of fun nowadays.
How on earth is Dart to blame for your lack of “ fun”? He’s not the morality police and no shortage of places to get lit and misbehave on this island. Perhaps having a rescue animal to care for, and someone who cares for you, has actually made you a less shallow person – consider that.
Dogs have been stolen/missing from that area for a long time. Are people allowed to view the dogs to see if theirs is in the lot?
Disgraceful. But caymanian so move on, no prosecution
caymankind….
Evil, evil woman. She should be locked up. If she has children I hope she doesn’t keep them in cages and abuse them!
How about getting the Animals Law enforced which covers illegal breeding etc. to start with. More space at the DOA needs to be made available otherwise a plea from the owner to voluntarily surrender in exchange for no prosecution will be entered into so again, no prosecution. Nothing will act as a warning for her or others who wish to abuse animals. WAKE UP CAYMAN THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Trade and Business licensing law covers the issue too, as does the planning law, as does the proceeds of crime law, as does the penal code …. a wide range of government agencies are responsible. As usual, no accountability.
Some scum will do anything for a dollar
I also would like to adopt one, i am from the Brac.
This is so very sad. I would love to adopt one or more so please keep us posted.
anonymous
How very, very sad. This poor excuse for a human being needs to have the book thrown at her and may the sentence reflect for each count (all 53) in cruelty charges. Poor dogs.
A total waste on earth this person is. Mental issues? Was she a seller of such dogs? Who knows and frankly I don’t care at this point in time. An example needs to be made, especially if she’s found to be fit for trial (no underlying mental issues).
Thank you for the new approach to tackling these types of crimes, RCIP & DoA. Do know it’s recognised that someones in those branches of enforcement/department are finally listening with an empathetic ear and taking action and making a difference, no matter if animal or human.
-Eulogy of the Dog-
Gentlemen of the jury—
The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter whom he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with out happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies from him perhaps when he needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action.
The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is the dog.
Gentlemen of the jury, a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground when the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master’s side.
He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.
When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth an outcast into the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies.
And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is laid in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws and his eyes sad but open, in alert watchfulness, faithful and true, even unto death.
🐕
—George G. Vest
23 September 1870
Warrensburg, Missouri
With enough work, nearly every dog can be conditioned to enjoy a nearly stressless life with just a few rules. It’s a fair trade.
It’s not sad, it’s premeditated criminal neglect, and deserves to be appropriately punished.
What IS sad is the inability of the Department of Agriculture to discharge their responsibilities to ensure adequate animal welfare in Cayman.
You are not addressing the evil this person has caused and in fact you are encouraging it. You are sad.