The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport

Reporter

dmaycock@

tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Police are searching for whoever was responsible for the cruel and senseless killing of several farm animals at the St Georges’ High School.

Seven goats and 12 chickens were discovered slaughtered at the rear of the school compound where a small farm is located.

According to police reports, the killings occurred sometime between 10am on Wednesday, May 29, and Saturday, June 1, while the animals were left unattended at the school on Sunset Highway. The estimate cost to replace the livestock is $930.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour stressed that the police also take animal cruelty cases serious.

“We have recently gotten some concerns about that and tell all our officers that animal cases are just as serious as other crimes that are being committed,” he said.

Principal Keith Barr was very concerned about the incident because the animals were for educational purposes only.

He said the agricultural programme has been a project at the school for a number of years.

“We have had animals here before, but the goats were a project we just started,” he told The Tribune.

Police investigators were at the school on Monday continuing their investigations. Education Ministry District Superintendent Mary Cooper also stopped by for an update on the incident.

Principal Barr said the farm was very productive. It consisted of seven goats and more than 20 chickens.

“A lot of teachers benefitted from the poultry programme – we were really productive with the eggs,” he said.

On Wednesday, he noted that three of the goats and 12 chickens were dead. And the remaining four goats, including the big ram, were discovered on Saturday.

He said the remaining live chickens were removed from the compound on Saturday.

“The police were out here and did their investigations,” he said.

A veterinarian was also called to examine the dead animals. It was determined that they died at the hands of humans.

“Our biggest fear was that wild dogs would come and bother the animals, unfortunately that wasn’t the case due to the kinds of wounds that were inflicted,” said Mr Barr.

Mr Barr said the agricultural classes would continue until school ends

“My hope is that none of our students was involved in this – I am hoping that.

“As teachers we do not want to think that the kids we have in the classrooms (here) are capable of coming out here and killing these animals.

“I could understand if they were killed and taken away for meat – I would be angry and disappointed. But just killing them brutally and leaving them here is senseless and cruel, and that is something I don’t even want to equate with our students.”

Mr Barr is urging persons who may have information concerning the incident to contact the authorities.

“For people to sit back in neighbourhoods and hear of these events and know who may be involved, and laugh and talk about it and not go to the proper authority, is just as cruel as the killing of these animals,” he said.

He said the programme is very beneficial to students because it teaches them about proper care and nurturing of animals.

Mr Barr said they were also looking forward to upgrading and improving the farm with the assistance of the school’s patron Henry St George, the son of the late Edward St George, former chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

“They made a visit here a month ago and made some commitments to assist with fencing the area properly and expanding it a little bit, and putting in some pastures and rebuilding what is here,” he said.