The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Staff Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A PROMINENT Grand Bahama resident is facing trial after his dogs allegedly attacked and bit a woman as she walked on a beach in an upscale Freeport residential area earlier this year.

David Jennette Jr, 62, is charged with negligently causing harm, failing to properly secure animals and permitting animals to be at large over the alleged April 22 attack on Angelika Christie at Coral Beach. The prosecution alleges that two dogs belonging to Jennette attacked and bit Mrs Christie. The case comes as the government moves to tighten enforcement of animal control laws following a series of serious dog attacks across The Bahamas, including a 30-day amnesty this month giving owners time to bring their animals into compliance before citations begin.

Jennette appeared before Magistrate Uel Johnson in the Grand Bahama Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for what had been scheduled as the start of his trial.

Mrs Christie and her husband, prominent Freeport attorney Brenford Christie, were also present.

Jennette, who Jerome Roberts represents, was initially arraigned on May 22 and released on $2,000 bail with one surety.

The trial did not proceed after Mr Roberts told the court he had not received disclosure of Mrs Christie’s medical report.

He requested a full personal medical report as well as records of the doctor-patient interaction.

“Not only am I concerned with the injuries,” Mr Roberts said, “I'm concerned with the full report of Dr Bowen.”

He asked for the trial to be adjourned until December.

Prosecutor 3700 Kenton Smith confirmed that Dr Camille Bowen was among the witnesses summoned to give evidence and said the prosecution was willing to help ensure the requested material was provided.

Magistrate Johnson adjourned the case to December 7 and 8 to continue the trial.

The charges come amid heightened scrutiny of dog ownership and enforcement after several attacks prompted the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources to launch its Mission Pawsible initiative.

Under a September 1-30 amnesty, dog owners are being encouraged to license and identify their animals, ensure they are properly secured and restrained, keep vaccinations current and take other steps to comply with animal control requirements.

Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell has warned that the amnesty is not an indefinite grace period and that citations will begin after it expires. The initiative is being carried out with the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The government announced the tougher approach after a series of attacks, including the June mauling of 66-year-old Kemp Road resident Don Smith and the July attack on 70-year-old Jackie Livingston Thompson.

The issue attracted international attention after nine-year-old American Beau Brattain suffered life-threatening injuries when he was attacked by several dogs in Bimini on July 28.

Harrington Rolle, 34, was later sentenced to 12 months in prison after admitting charges including negligently causing grievous harm and permitting a dangerous dog to be at large.

Animal Control Unit officer-in-charge Pearline Jones recently said dog attacks are the unit’s most common complaints, with roughly three to four cases reported each day and sometimes more.

Mr Campbell has said the government wants to move away from responding only after people have been hurt and towards preventing attacks through stronger compliance and enforcement.