News
Justice Begins for the Animals of Puerto Rico
December 11, 2007, 3:49PM MT
By Brandi Bennett
Charges filed against three people for animal cruelty.
Charges filed against three people for animal cruelty.
By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff
Julio Diaz, owner of Animal Control Solutions, and two of his employees were recently charged with animal cruelty in connection with the injuries and deaths of approximately 80 pets, after they had been thrown from a 50-foot bridge in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. Each received three separate charges for violating animal cruelty laws as a Territory of the United States. If the men are found guilty, they may be sentenced for to up to nine years in prison.
The arrest comes after Barceloneta Mayor Sol Luis Fontanez hired Animal Control Solutions to confiscate the pets of residents from several low-income housing developments back in October. Shortly after the animals were taken, the bodies of those cats and dogs were found under the bridge. Since then a $22.5 million civil lawsuit has been filed against Animal Control Solutions and Barceloneta officials by some of the residents whose animals had been taken. This incident has caused public outrage worldwide and has exposed many animal control problems on the island.
While the wheels of justice have begun to turn against those allegedly responsible for the deaths of the cats and dogs hurled from the bridge, more progress needs to be made on behalf of animals throughout all of Puerto Rico.
Anne Ostberg, Senior Program Officer of The Pegasus Foundation has been working on the issue of animal welfare throughout the Caribbean region, including Puerto Rico. On the recent arrest of Diaz and his employees, she states, “It means the law enforcement officials are taking it seriously, but there’s still much more to be done.”
In November, she traveled to Puerto Rico and met with representatives from both governmental and rescue agencies, including The Humane Society of Puerto Rico, Oficina Estatal de Control Animal (OECA), the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association , Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Save a Gato, Alianza Pro-Adopcion de Mascotas, RED de Protectores de Animales, Save a Sato, and Amigos de los Animales. Many of the meetings were first-time introductions; however, each provided a successful exchange of information and ideas.
It was clear that all the organizations want improvement and several topics were brought up by multiple agencies. Says Ostberg, “Some of the requests I have heard over the past few weeks include training for police officers in investigating animal cruelty cases, training and other resources for municipalities in implementing animal control programs, [and] funding for spay/neuter and education programs.”
An attempt to address the issue of humane treatment and control of animals and how it affects business, the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association is hosting an Animal Management and Control Forum to be held at the San Juan Marriott and Stellaris Casino in San Juan on Tuesday, December 11. Speakers are to include Dr. Sara Pizano, the Director of Miami-Dade Animal Services, Dr. César González, the Director of the Centro de Control de Animales de Carolina, Wilma Rivera, the Executive Director of the State Animal Control Office, and Dr. Carlos Carazo, Veterinarian and Director of the Zoonosis Department of Health. “The response has been really great,” says Clarisa Jimenez, President of the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association. “We are hopeful that this will be a good first step in the right direction.”
The 2008 Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference will be hosed by the Pegasus Foundation on April 21-24. It will be held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and the subject of animal welfare education will be discussed. Other topics are to include organizational development, fundraising, disaster management, veterinary medicine, and protection of sea life. The cost to attend is $125; however, those registering prior to February will receive a discounted rate of $100. Organizations in the Bahamas and Caribbean may apply for financial assistance to assist in covering travel fees.
For more information:
• Associated Press: 3 Charged in Puerto Rico Pet Massacre
• Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association Animal Management and Control Forum
• 2008 Caribbean Animal Welfare Conference
• The Pegasus Foundation Caribbean Animal Welfare
How you can help:
• Remember, Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. While charges have been filed in this particular instance, it is important to continue to take action and e-mail Puerto Rican government officials. Please let them know that now is the time to address ongoing animal welfare issues such as animal cruelty, overpopulation, and abandonment that are so prevalent on the island.
• Two online petitions on behalf are posted on behalf of the animals of Puerto Rico; Humane shelter and animal law enforcement urgently needed and Puerto Rico pet massacre.
• Support Puerto Rican animal welfare organizations such as those listed above. You do not need to be in Puerto Rico to help. Individuals can volunteer remotely.
Photo credit: photo reprinted with permission by Alma Febus, volunteer Investigator for Animal Cruelty for the Bambie Rottweiler Service, showing one of the marches on behalf of the animals slain in Barceloneta.