Prosecute all offenders under the Protection of Animals Act, Litter Act

Fri July 5, 2013

Editor: In regard to Searchlight’s editorial and a letter from the VSPCA in your June 28, 2013 issue, it seems Government is ignoring two potentially lucrative sources of much-needed income.{{more}}

Both the Litter Act and the Protection of Animals Act have fines of up to $5,000 if any person is found guilty of littering/improper disposal of waste, or cruelty to animals. Both Acts allow the Minister of Health or Governor-General to appoint honorary inspectors. What a great way to create jobs if police officers, public health inspectors, and others with the proper authority to charge offenders are too busy with other duties, even though enforcing these laws is part of their jobs. A little training, a special weekly or monthly court to handle these cases, and there you go: tens of thousands of dollars a month. This is entirely possible, since even ordinary citizens see abusers of both offenses on a daily basis.

Not only do Vincentians have to endure sights of environmental pollution and animal cruelty, the big national money-maker – tourism – is adversely affected by the lack of enforcement of these Acts.

Please, those with the power to do so, make this otherwise blessed country a clean and inviting place to live and visit…and put money in the Treasury as well. It’s a win-win situation.

P. Ratti