One of the dogs treated in the programme last year.
Reader poll
Operation Potcake has been cancelled following opposition from local vets. How do you think the spay and neuter programme should be run?
- As they did last year, foreign volunteers should be allowed to operate for free.
- Local vets should undertake the project at a cost of $50 per surgery.
727 total votes.
INTERNATIONAL organisation Animal Balance has warned that the country’s stray animal problem will never be resolved if the government listens to local veterinarians.
In a letter to Prime Minister Perry Christie expressing concern over the cancellation of January’s Operation Potcake (OP), the group said the help of foreign volunteers specifically trained in high volume spays and neuters cannot be shunned if the over-population of dogs and cats is ever to be managed.
Emma Clifford, the founder of the Animal Balance – the lead organisation in the last January’s highly successful inaugural OP programme – also reminded Mr Christie of his personal endorsement of their efforts.
“Our collective strategy to combat the street dog problem was publicly endorsed by yourself and your government colleagues at a reception night which you kindly organised for us. You asked me personally if the foreign volunteers would return each year and I said yes, then you announced that message to the general public on film, which received a resounding cheer from the audience,” Ms Clifford wrote.
However, following opposition from local vets to the inclusion of foreign volunteers – despite the admission that this would make it not nearly as effective – local organisers scrapped the project.
They said the vets’ counterproposal of a shortened project of just three days would cost far too much and could not achieve enough in terms of results to be worth the trouble.
The government is known to defer to the Veterinary Medical Association of the Bahamas (VMAB) on such matters, however no official government position on the issue has been announced.
Animal Balance said it is “saddened and greatly disappointed” by the vets’ approach to the issue.
“Since receiving the VMAB’s letter the coalition have had to cancel Operation Potcake 2014 as the VMAB has made it impossible to continue.
“I implore you to look into this serious matter. Unless there are aggressive, high volume spays and neuters in a consistent manner on your islands, you will not manage and reduce your over-population of dogs and cats and you will never resolve the issue.
“A three-day campaign will only serve 150 dogs at most, that is not even a noticeable dent in your street dog population. In order to sterilise high numbers and effectively combat the problem you need to allow the foreign veterinarians to assist. These veterinarians are specifically trained in high volume spay and neuter and are donating their services as they understand the critical importance of this strategy.
“Your country is being offered enormous resources to logically, efficiently and sustainably solve the problem, but your VMAB has refused foreign help.”
Ms Clifford added that the international veterinary and animal welfare community knows of Operation Potcake and will be “astonished and shocked that the VMAB is allowed to go against the wishes of its Prime Minister”.
And, she warned, that the controversy will not only affect the volunteers, but also their relatives, friends and colleagues “who most certainly not vacation in the Bahamas as a result”.
Ms Clifford said everyone loses if the VMAB is allowed to have such influence over the government and the wishes of the public.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 11 months ago
And, she warned, that the controversy will not only affect the volunteers, but also their relatives, friends and colleagues “who most certainly not vacation in the Bahamas as a result”.
I don't know but that statement seems just as petty as the letter from the local vets...
ohdrap4 10 years, 11 months ago
might be some truth to it, hundresds of dogs are adopted by tourists each year
Bailey05 10 years, 11 months ago
Well I know for one I will no longer vacation in the Bahama's. I was there before the spay program began..you couldn't walk the street without getting chased by a dog, they were everywhere. And there suffering of the dogs/puppies was just awful to see..they were maimed, injured, sick and starving..Really think tourists want to see that?? and when is gets out of control again and they start culling dogs in mass slaughters..do you think the tourists will come??
Emac 10 years, 11 months ago
I could understand animal lovers, including myself, being turned off from the neglect of stray dogs in this country. But this post seems to be suspicious coming from a learnt animal loving tourist, because it has so many grammatical errors. It makes one wonder if this is someone posing as a tourist. Before I get lynched by the readers of this column: I am not saying that Bahamians write poorly either.
Bailey05 10 years, 11 months ago
Really Emac that's what is sounds like. And as an FYI you didn't need to be in the "ghetto" to be chased by dogs..junkaroo beach, cable beach the fish market and all main area's in between there were all kinds of stray dogs running around, chasing tourists.
Bailey05 10 years, 11 months ago
FYI I didn't get my hair braided or my shoes shined, nor did I see anyone even offering. I did walk dogs and give a donation to the local Humane Society..I'm assuming your supporting a local food charity and buying shoes? People should support what is important to them, not what others feel they should be berated for...Have a nice day.
GypsySoul 10 years, 11 months ago
No attack here.....just observation. Tory, you've been all over the evolution of this story with your comments and defaming people you do not know. Those that would give of their own resourses, time, effort and expertise in an attempt to make a difference in this problem do not deserve your disdain, but deserve your praise. I am of the opinion that human beings that posess the ability of thought and restraint who reproduce into an environment that they are incapable of supporting those offspring are not worthy of apethy that they so much demand from others who have worked long and hard for what they have to give. To choose to give eitlher through service, monetarilly or volunteerism is honorable. You sir, are pathetic in your debasing of any who would choose higher ground.....What difference do you make? When ever I read your comments, I'm reminded of the saying "The only thing you run around here......is your mouth"
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 11 months ago
Everyone realizes there's a problem. But why throw gas on an out of control fire? It was a tit-for-tatty statement meant to hurt, it wasn't needed for the message to be carried.
TruthSayer 10 years, 11 months ago
That is a fact! I know I will never vacation there and I will advise anyone and everyone I know to not vacation there as well.
But I would come back to help the animals, in a heart beat. For us, helping those that can't help themselves and making the world a better place has more value than sitting on the beach getting a tan or losing money in a Casino. That's what I don't think they understand, we do this to make the world better, we don't care about taking anyones job, head butting with their egos or gaining any kudos. Aggressive high volume spay/neuter, along with education and outreach works. A few vets working 3 days to only do 150 surgeries at a cost that is prohibitive, is not going to cut it. 150 surgeries at $50 per surgery = $7500 or 150 surgeries at the actual cost of supplies, which is $17 (but I'll round up to $20) = $3000
Bottom line is, 150 surgeries is not going to have the effect that is required, 1000 would. The local vets can't handle that, they said so themselves. So drop the egos, drop the money grubbing and get on with it and fix the problem! They would be heroes if they just let this project go forward (which they agreed to do last year), because they would have implemented a multifaceted program that was effective and humane. The world has been watching this and they just need to lick some wounds and get back to what they agreed to. Do the right thing, is that so hard?
Stapedius 10 years, 11 months ago
LOL,
TruthSayer 10 years, 11 months ago
Tory,
You don't have to walk the Ghetto at night to see the packs of dogs. They are all over downtown and the Fish Market area. Yes, packs of them. If they were smart they would stay out of the Ghetto areas unless they want to be robbed at gunpoint, like the volunteers were last year.
Why do say Emma Clifford needs to fck off and mind her won business? My guess from reading some of your posts on the other stories, is that you are either one of the Vets or possibly a family member.
Should everyone who came to the Bahamas to help with the stray dog population just fck off and mind their own business? If so, how do you plan to fix the problem on our own? Petty, childish like yours, simply show your lack of understanding for the situation at best, at worst, they show your mentality. Stomping your feet and having a temper tantrum is not going to do anything fix the issue.
So I ask again, what are YOU doing?
ohdrap4 10 years, 11 months ago
he is trolling because the talk shows are off the air and he has nothing to do do not feed the troll
GypsySoul 10 years, 11 months ago
You Sir, and the whole of the Bahamas should be PROUD that Emma Clifford cares and takes even a moment of her time to address this issue that we all know is epidemic not only in New Providence, but the Family Islands as well.
Stapedius 10 years, 11 months ago
Tory you are hilarious. But I absolutely agree with ThisOurs. The letter is not very well written. It has a rather petty tone and there is not even the slightest attempt at diplomacy. Besides who knows what the local vets have in mind to help with this vexing problem. She steps in as if to suggest this volunteer group has all the answers. Why don't they go join the mission to kill them Toads that came in on someones yacht.
banker 10 years, 11 months ago
The lot of you are making Bahamians look stupid in international eyes. In case you hadn't noticed, we have 20% and greater endemic unemployment. The average person on Facebook has 250 friends with a social outreach of 125,000 people. You guys don't understand the power of losing just 1 vacationer because of idiocy. That one vacationer has a 50-50 chance of affecting the vacation decision of up to 125,000 people. Talk about fiddling while Rome burned.
Bahamians are too lazy to clean up the stray dog mess, and when the gift of help arrives, we look the gift horse in the mouth. Suk teeth. This nation will never be enlightened. You all should be ashamed of yourselves. The author of the letter has a valid point, and y'all laugh while your bread and butter slips away.
henny 10 years, 11 months ago
I wholeheartedly agree with Banker 100%
Stapedius 10 years, 11 months ago
I think people are concerned Banker. But sometimes you just have to laugh at situations. We can't get so heated about every situation. Plus , we don't know yet what the local Vets have in mind. It may be just as effective as what the writer wants to do. So please, stop bashing Bahamians and constantly labeling us as lazy. True, we have our issues but not every discussion needs to harp on about how bad Bahamians are.
banker 10 years, 11 months ago
I get hot because it is always the little sh*t that trips you up. Big doors swing on small hinges. We can do better. We should do better. And we don't.
Drive to the end of Eastern Road where it turns into Yamacraw. All of the Bahamians there are exercising. Almost everyone to a tee is carrying a stick for the potcakes. You can't even go for an evening walk without a stick to protect yourself.
But there are more dangerous mongrels. Today, I was driving on Shirley Street today near Finco @Charlotte. A guy with a suit crosses in front of me. His jacket swings open a bit. He is packing heat. His suit is way too nice to be po-po. The gun een no Glock. It looks like a .45 automatic. It would stop an elephant. Police can't afford those threads. Police don't carry that kind of heat. I see those suits on my clients and my clients could buy and sell the lot of us. And why -- because just like me, he's afraid of a snot-nosed punk suffering from n*ggeritis with a gun who will kill him for his gold chain.
We deserve a better, safer country. And as long as it een we gittin' shot or robbed or broken into, we okay wid it. We okay wid tiefin' if it een us gittin' tiefed. We are okay with greed. We are okay with Randy Frazer and Shame's Rolex. We are OK with buying votes with booze in Elizabeth Estates or with $200 on Grand Bahama. We are OK with the vets making us look like asses to the world. I am just tired. Got my walkin' stick, watch and chain, and just waiting for the next mail boat to the promised land, cuz this een it. Home aint home anymore. Hope you don't die laughing.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 11 months ago
No one is saying there isn't a problem and problems far bigger than the current issue. My stand is, if they can help us eradicate the problem, bring in an army of foreign vets, thank you, come back again. But that line in the letter went further than addressing the problem, it wasn't necessary.
Bahamianpride 10 years, 11 months ago
I share your outrage banker, I spend most of my time out the country because of this but I love my country, yet I have never felt more unsafe @ home as I do now.. My folks live over the hill & like everyone else live under constant fear of being robbed or killed. For the life of me I cannot understand why we are our own worst enemies.. To the volunteers with operation potcake I apologize to u on behalf of the nation, we are not all ignorant or greedy and appreciate your help and dedication. Thank you.
TalRussell 10 years, 11 months ago
This type of reporting is exactly my reasoning for why Brent can aim to become PM. I must question the Tribune calling our Pot cakes nothing more than a bunch of stray dogs, makes me want to seriously question your journalistic integrity. Doesn't the Tribune know anything. Everybody else knows we Pot cakes is just likes the rest of we Bahamalander's. A mixed-breed people type. Guaranteed my racists sister will be ringing my phone number, shortly. She hates it when I remind her of our family lick-da-brush. But she'd actually support Brent for PM., if he doesn't mess with calling her his family.
Bahamianpride 10 years, 11 months ago
Tory my 1st grader can do this, I see u, u see me.. Whose's hidding, be home in 2 weeks... This is the day of technology anyone with half a brain can find anyone who has a job, an address, phone number, computer, etc.. Back to topic, i get your point about bigger issues but why stop people from helping a problem at there own exspense, let them do that so we can focus on more important issues. I was born in the farrington road area and grew up in grants town so i am as Bahamian as anyone else, but unlike when i grew up things have changed dramatically, people live in fear for good reason and the question is how do we deal with this issue. When i'm home i'm in the ghetto, my family lives there and that's where i'm from so its real for me.. That's the difference between me and you..
Bahamianpride 10 years, 11 months ago
Lol Lol
Domin1 10 years, 11 months ago
Emma Clifford, animal activists and their supporters please be careful about bringing extraneous circumstances (especially the tourist $) into your arguments because you might find your scaremongering amounts to a bunch of dead dogs, no Vet assistance required! And if you think bellyaching about that to the international community will earn some scorn then you might inadvertently create some support for those actions because no self-respecting capitalist is going to begrudge us any when our 'bread and butter' is at stake and those involved know it but can't get their egos back on a leash. You might well remember that the bulk of your work is getting most people to care enough in the first place! Calm down, back back, and find another way please! For the sake of these poor, discarded animals, calm this powder keg down!
Domin1 10 years, 11 months ago
I was caught in the sights of an aggressive dog before and I had a stroller in one hand and a toddler in the other, no hands free for a stick and to this day I remember that feeling of looming catastrophe but I don't remember wanting the animal dead. Figuratively speaking if all that is precious to us is at stake there will be a growing number who want to see the animals destroyed humanely, how can we prevent that? What real options do we have? (not rhetorical questions, really hope for answers)
Domin1 10 years, 11 months ago
Banker, I feel it the same, we are really exhausted living under a constant threat of harm, I feel it the same the world over, everything seems so precarious all the time and most of us think none of this is my fault, what on earth kind of karma is this! What I wouldn't give for a moment to breathe easy!
Bahamianpride 10 years, 11 months ago
Domin1, I think one solution would be for the government & public to raise funds for a national roundup day & along with volunteers train & hire people out of work to humanely capture the dogs. Place them in a pound temporarily.. Adopt out what we can but its sad to say that many of the animals are going to have to be humanely put to sleep. Offer $10.00 per dog to the volunteers alive and uninjured only..
Domin1 10 years, 11 months ago
It is reasonable, but I can't so readily accept the slaughter of these animals. Do you think it's possible to collect the animals from the high-traffic areas and where packs have been reported to spay OR neuter and then barge them to an uninhabited cay (like the pigs) and then animal welfare groups can tend to their basic needs if they wish? I know scraps of city life is what they subsist on but its clear pragmatists and animal lovers (not mutually exclusive) cannot abide the over-population. Then we can do the best we can and not suffer so much while doing it?
banker 10 years, 11 months ago
The ironic bit is that there was no national dialogue on the potcake problem before this event. It begs the question why? My take is that there are bigger problems. How many people think that their financial salvation every day comes from a three-number box instead of a pay cheque? How many people daily pray for a job? How many people secretly wish that life was just a bit easier? How many people are just plain tired of the grind of life? How many people remember what life was like when there was no mortgage and dinner consisted of conch, pear and snapper with maybe peas 'n rice, grits or fire engine. Remember when you made sky juice and sat under the dilly tree with your friends, and not a care in the world?
There was no nastiness and name calling like we see here, and the world didn't have a hard edge and even the potcakes were tame and came to the porch for food. My goodness, what have we become?
Domin1 10 years, 11 months ago
There are always bigger problems...life here reminds me of the parable of the jar with the big rocks inside being full of rocks, but then you put in stones then pebbles, then sand, then water then you get a real understanding of full. People here have a life full of problems, and its hard to imagine a solution being so close only to lose it at the finish line even if it was the smallest in nature. But I say get back to the start quickly and get in the habit of getting over it and moving on and looking for a solution, because that habit is what's going to make us fit to deal with the problems of any size.
TalRussell 10 years, 11 months ago
My goodness Comrade Banker, good for you for showing some heart toward our Pot cakes.
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