Another tourist is attacked by dogs

As of Monday, June 11, 2012

Julie Gear shows the injuries she suffered in the attack

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A THIRD visitor to Harbour Island yesterday came forward with claims of a "horrific" dog attack which she said left her immobile and angry that officials failed to warn tourists of the danger.

Julie Gear, a British citizen who came to the island with her boyfriend for a friend's wedding, said their getaway was cut short before they could enjoy what the island had to offer.

When the couple arrived on June 1, two dog attacks had reportedly already taken place. Shevaun Davies, who was visiting from Grand Cayman, was attacked on May 22 and Chad Houck of Columbia, Maryland was attacked on May 29.

Ten days after her attack, Ms Gear said the healing process has been slow. The injuries have also affected her ability to work.

"I am still in considerable pain, and am unable to put any weight on my right leg. I am not sure when I will be able to walk again, let alone do any sport or exercise.

"I am currently unable to work or earn an income. My left leg is healing well, I am due to see the doctor again tomorrow to have the stitches out," she said.

"I had trouble sleeping the first few days, but mentally I am feeling much better now. Now I just feel angry about the whole situation, as I feel like if appropriate action had been taken after the earlier attacks, I would not be in the position I am in now.

"It feels so unfair, the whole injustice of my situation. I was not taking any risks or trespassing or trying to pat any stray dogs. I was doing nothing wrong, I was simply minding my own business going for a jog, and now it feels like my whole world has been turned upside down."

Island administrator Don Cornish said last Tuesday there is no "immediate threat" of animal attacks on the beach or anywhere else on the island.

Mr Cornish said officials were in the process of educating residents of the island about how to contain their animals.

"This has been a long time coming. A town meeting is coming up for persons on the island to raise questions and concerns and also for us to inform them on what should be done to keep their dogs from breaking loose. They will also be told that pets should be kept on a leash when they are walking them.

"We have even been in meetings with persons from the highest levels of tourism because these types of things will have an affect on that sector. There are also plans to meet with hoteliers to tell them that they should inform guests should something like this recur," he said.

B_I_D___ 12 years, 5 months ago

I love dogs...but time to pack some heat while walking the beaches in HI and take some of these mean dogs out of commission.

MartGM 12 years, 5 months ago

ohhh wow...these dogs really need to be put out of their misery. Maybe they're rabid dogs. Whatever the case...this is happening to often. Get the humane society down there to pick up these dogs and put them to sleep. They're dangerous!

Interesting 12 years, 5 months ago

Alright now, enough is enough! The red flags about these “dog attacks” have been waving steady for some time now.

Again, what is it going to take to really get you to act? A death?

In these days of “social media”, one can easily see when Harbour Island first knew about this problem. What action (s) have been taken?

Just as word does spread about Harbour Island being a beautiful place to visit, word gets out about crime. and that spreads...... and word certainly about these vicious dog attacks spread as well.

This is a problem that has to be solved immediately to protect the reputation and the beauty that the island is known for.

I, of all people, love Harbour Island and visited numerous times over many years. And for years, I’ve been telling people about the Pink Sand Beaches, shown video, photos, the kindness of people and promoted its tranquility.

Anytime I’ve been ill or hospitalized, I’ve come to Harbour Island to speed up my recovery.

I do want to even imagine the Pink Sand Beaches being associated with the red stained beaches of vicious dog attacks. There are many other beautiful beaches in the Carribbean.

B_I_D___ 12 years, 5 months ago

I think someone needs to get the 'Island Administrator' and tell him to get his head out of his ***...or make him walk the beach and walk about and not worry about a few stray dogs approaching him...maybe then he will actually do something. If they know whose dogs they are...let's get some names...maybe a rich expat that is paying some good money to keep their dogs alive and the 'island administrator' happy...B>I>D>....

PKMShack 12 years, 5 months ago

Well after the Govenment is sued they will FIRE his dumb a s s. After the first attack the dogs should have been removed. I sometimes wonder if our Gov. Officals are just made up of pure dummies. How hard can it be to catch or even shoot and kill these 4 legged thugs? If the are privately owned the owners just lost there pets. You can't control them we will control them for you. End of story.

carlh57 12 years, 5 months ago

Having had dogs on our chicken farm, i can tell ya, anytime a dog gets the taste of blood, they will continue to look for it....and more of it....so expect more for sure unless they are dealt with. Law suit just awaiting for sure...

TalRussell 12 years, 5 months ago

Where did our Bahamaland go so wrong? Neither Prime Ministers Pindling, Ingraham or Ingraham can be excluded from their administrations share of the blame. We the natives have contributed our own fair share of the blame.

I hope taking this trip down memory lane will rekindle the missing spirit we must rediscover to meet the old way of life at some point if we want all the beauty gone missing in our Bahamaland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXz6BIC7…