By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
VIDEO footage of a holding area for breeding dogs at one of the Bahamas’ most established pet stores has sparked outrage on social media with activists calling for an end to the practice. The Bahamas Humane Society (BHS) said yesterday it was “horrified”.
The video (which can be seen HERE) depicts around 12 small dogs in cages that provide limited mobility in a room at the rear of Dragon Pet Store at Ross Corner and has been shared on Facebook more than 70 times since it was posted on Thursday.
Dragon’s owner Philip Ferguson yesterday defended his business, which he said was legal and humane. He accused the person responsible for filming his dogs of being disingenuous, adding that he should have been contacted directly if there were real concerns over the animals.
The incident has renewed longstanding complaints against the store, according to a statement issued by the BHS, which called on the Ministry of Agriculture to immediately inspect the facility and enforce the Animal Care Act, adding that investigative and inspection authority could be granted to the non-profit organisation if the government was underfunded and understaffed.
Mr Ferguson, also known as ‘Dragon’, said: “The small dogs that are here, these are my breeding dogs, they have a breeding area. The person has gone straight to my breeding area and recorded without me being there. I was away for one week, and they went behind my back and went in there.”
“People are always coming here. They check to see if we have bathrooms; yes, we have bathrooms, this is a fully loaded operation. We pay our licence, we do everything we’re supposed to do.
He said: “I don’t know who could teach me anything, I know I’m getting old but all you have to do is say Dragon, what’s this? I can change it in two minutes, they need to stop coming behind my back sneaking in taking photos putting it on Facebook.
On a tour of the facility yesterday, Mr Ferguson confirmed to The Big T that the dogs were kept in the cages during working hours. At closing, Mr Ferguson said the dogs are moved to a bigger facility at Dragon Attack Dogs K-9 Services across the street.
The Big T was not allowed to view the kennel; however, Mr Ferguson said it was a much larger space with the capacity to house up to 150 dogs. There are only some 60 dogs at present, he said, as operations were scaled down after his stroke four years ago.
The controversy is also part of a wider campaign against the sale of animals, according to Humane Society of Grand Bahama director Tip Burrows, who said that stores are usually “thinly disguised puppy mills or fronts for same”.
In a statement yesterday, Ms Burrows said: “Breeding dogs are usually kept in disgusting unsanitary conditions and bred repeatedly until they either die or are discarded when their breeding days are over. Any store or breeder who would sell you an animal without caring where and how that animal will be living, is in it only for the money.
Mr Ferguson rejected the characterisation of his operations as a “puppy mill”. He explained that he has only had five puppies born this year, and the majority of his puppies come from external sources. Local breeders often sell their dogs to him, he said, because it removes personal security risks of customers coming to their homes.
“The Ministry of Agriculture, they check on us,” Mr Ferguson said, “the vets when they see a dog come in, they ask where did you get this dog from? I have 50 years experience and I’ve been through many vets. I have nothing to fear, my doors are wide open.
“(Canine distemper) I don’t even have a problem with that. People have that on this island, and I don’t have it. I should be the one to catch distemper but you know why you catch that, no knowledge.”
The Animal Protection and Control Act of 2010 was passed by Parliament in 2010, but has not been enacted.
The BHS statement read: “The complaints have come from across the community: rich and poor, tourist and native Bahamian, black and white. The Bahamas Humane Society is as horrified by this situation as the public. We have tried to inspect the site but have been turned away. Regretfully, the Bahamas Humane Society has no legal authority to force proper inspection of the health of the animals, nor do we have authority to enforce the Animal Care Act.”
According to Mr Ferguson, his pet store has been a fixture in the inner-city community for more than 30 years, and is solely responsible for public awareness and education on the care of dogs.
He said: “This is tick season, people don’t know that, they have to learn that from Dragon. No one is teaching that, there’s no sign going up. But as I move, they move, as I love pets, they love pets.”
“If you educate the people in the Bahamas you will never find a dog on the street, what (BHS) need to do if they want to get busy, is go out there and pick up the dogs and stop complaining.”
Comments
Clamshell 10 years, 5 months ago
Who or what is The Big T?
lionfish 10 years, 5 months ago
The Big T is the Tribune Sat. edition. Has nothing to do with this story.
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Comrade, the Big T that is to say (Big Red Shirts Tent). To see up close it's located at corners of Shirley & Deveaux.
Clamshell 10 years, 5 months ago
Oh. That's silly. Maybe they should call it The Big S.
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Comrade there have been reliable reports by several employees of the building being haunted.. While I've not seen for myself, some Big T workers claim they have been spooked by what they swear has be the only living former Prime Minister whose ghost walks the corridors outside the publisher's office in the building. Since I really can't visualize Papa being a kind and gentle ghost, maybe the Big T owners have a responsibility to provide, as now provided to BEC workers, hazardous (ghost) risk working conditions extra pay?
Clamshell 10 years, 5 months ago
It would be worth it if The Ghost could teach all of 'em how to write a simple, clear, accurate and complete news story. Most stories in the Bahamian papers raise more questions than they answer.
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Comrade, if a reporter's storyline is pure lopsided political favoritism what more can readers expect? Why I never take sides...just blog it like it is.
DillyTree 10 years, 5 months ago
The Big T is the Saturday edition of the Tribune -- nothing more sinister than that.
As for the pet store owner to defend his cruel and inhumane treatment of the animals in his care, there is a special place in hell for people like him. This cannot be condoned. Where is our government on this? Oh, that's right, they haven't even enacted the Animal Care Act yet. Someone should put Mr. Ferguson in one of his breeding cages and let him get a taste of what it's like.
I adopted one of the discarded breeding dogs several years ago, and let me tell you, she wasn't expected to live -- she was in such poor condition. Now she thrives and no thanks to people like Mr. Ferguson and the government officials responsible for inspecting and policing these puppy factories.
Clamshell 10 years, 5 months ago
They probably leave him alone just as long as he pays his BEC bill. After all, somebody has to.
(If the Saturday edition is The Big T, what is it the other days? Little T's?)
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Comrades no animal should be caged .... much less bought and often imported from some Puppy Breeding Mill. Truth is the BHS have since the 1960's been viewing on Super 8 mm homemade movie film format, the mistreatment evidence of the abuse handed out to the Horses pulling our tourist buggies around Nassau town. BHS seem be better skilled at reacting to animal abuse than they are at being proactive at preventing and stopping it in its early stages. Why were the puppies left in the store's cages and not removed by BHS? Like a lot of institutions in Bahamaland, maybe the time has come to demolish the present day BHS and begin afresh with new people?
ETJ 10 years, 5 months ago
The police and the Dept. of Agriculture are the agencies tasked with enforcing animal cruelty laws, not the BHS. Lay blame where it is due.
KimAra 10 years, 5 months ago
The BHS is not empowered to "remove" animals, the RBPF are the ones who would have to do it, or the YET TO BE APPOINTED BY THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE animal wardens... The BHS reports over-loaded surrey carriages almost daily as they trot past the POLICE without even being issued with a caution. The BHS would love to be given the legal power to do more to prevent or stop at early stages, but the law gives us NO TEETH at all.... If you would like to come in to the shelter and meet with us we would be more than happy to explain to you, in detail, what we can and cannot do...often the ONLY thing we can do is make noise....I actually welcome this attack on the BHS to be able to explain some of our frustration....we dearly NEED that ANIMAL CARE act to be enacted...we need animal wardens appointed...the BHS has offered free training to the animal wardens....AND...by the way, I have been looking for a new president for years....so if you have some constructive suggestions, and you have a great deal of time to give to charity....please get in touch with me.
GrassRoot 10 years, 5 months ago
you did remove my dog, so I guess I should have sued you and BHS and pressed criminal charges for theft.
KimAra 10 years, 5 months ago
I would need a lot more information from you before I could comment....
DillyTree 10 years, 5 months ago
The BHS is not in the business of taking animals away from people unless it is warranted. God knows they have so many animals as it is looking for good homes that they aren't out to take animals away from people who are caring for them properly and responsibly.
KimAra 10 years, 5 months ago
ANd for those of you who would like to read it. Here is the actual press statemant issued to the Tribune yesterday....please feel free to contact us.
Dragon Pets Complaint
Today's complaint against Dragon Pets is the latest of many complaints against the business over many years. The complaints have, like this one, been made by legitimate customers lawfully in the business. The complaints have come from across the community: Rich and poor, tourist and native Bahamian, black and white. The Bahamas Humane Society is as horrified by this situation as the public. We have tried to inspect the site but have been turned away. Regretfully, the Bahamas Humane Society has no legal authority to force proper inspection of the health of the animals, nor do we have authority to enforce the Animal Care Act. There is a simple and immediate solution to this problem. The Minister of Agticulture can send his staff to inspect the business and enforce the Act. The Bahamas Humane Society will happily accompany and aid the Ministry in such an effort. We understand that the Ministry is underfunded and understaffed. With this recognized, there is a long term solution. The Minister can apply the existing power of the Act and grant investigative and inspection authority to the Bahamas Humane Society. This would allow the BHS to actively address such complaints and proactively prevent the abuse of animals, while supplementing the limited staff of the Ministry at no cost to Government. Our Nation's good name is at risk. The Bahamas Humane Society respectfully asks Government to act quickly and decisively to send a message to our citizens and the world that mistreatment of animals will not be tolerated in our island Nation. The Bahamas Humane Society
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
What Canadian wouldn't be proud to win a genuine, full-gown and house-trained Potcake, who comes with a diplomatic passport, which means you can travel with him anywhere in world? BHS Comrade Madame President Kim, I heard in September you will be departing Bahamaland to head for the far North to Canada to attend a special Potcake mini- fundraiser party, and if you're still looking for native prizes for your wonderful Canadian helpers to be raffling off ..... Madame Comrade Kim, may I, on behalf of all all unionists and Bahamaland's community at large, offer to donate for you to take with you our most well-known Potcake, BEC's Chairman Leslie Miller? I'm pretty sure the PM and Minister "Brave" will pay for his preventive rabies travel shots, required for admittance into Canada. By the way, you might think of hitting up Potcake Leslie for a donation too, cause he might still have in his pocket that $1000 donation check, which was refused by the abused women's group? The man pays a BEC bill with $100,000 CASH ... but writes a donation check for $1000. You go figure Madame Kim?
DillyTree 10 years, 5 months ago
LOL,Tal, you and I rarely agree on things, but this is an excellent suggestion!
Kalypso 10 years, 5 months ago
You have just insulted my five well-bred, four-legged Royal Potcakes!
sheeprunner12 10 years, 5 months ago
One day its the fish lovers ............... the next day its the dog lovers.............. my God why don't the politicians get the message .............. who's gonna speak up for the citizen who is really catching hell?? BTW Kim Ara.............. the Chinese can solve our stray potcake problem and the shark problem................ the common people gat bigger issues to deal with
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Comrade as a sheep runner you should know animals are lifetime children. it's important that we have an "effective and proactive" BHS. Why we appreciate people like Comrade Kim and her dedicated executive members, who are willing to give of their time and energy to act as the voices for Bahamaland's animals.
God Bless All Our Little Creatures ...Potcakes and Sheeps too!"
sheeprunner12 10 years, 5 months ago
Tal.....................I hear you loud and clear. But we have Ranfurly closing, disabled hurting, women abused, men addicted, girls with HIV and boys raped by predators ....... dogs and dolphins are secondary to humans. Thats my point ............... am an animal lover ...... God bless Kim & friends
Kalypso 10 years, 5 months ago
Are you a Human Being?
Kalypso 10 years, 5 months ago
This must be general stupid! The ghetto is riddled w crime and trash because it treats animals like trash. The ghetto covers a lot of ground in this country!
Sgilbert 10 years, 5 months ago
The people have free will and the ability to make choices, educate themselves, and have services that at the very least provide food or shelter. The government DOES put people first. No one is taking away from the people by refusing to ignore the cruelty inflicted on those who cannot make these choices or defend themselves from this abuse: the animals. What favor are you doing yourselves if tourism is affected by the overwhelming abuse of the horses or the roaming dogs overworking the streets. Who will have the money to help you when tourism is affected? Who is taking from anyone's pocket by asking that the humane society be given the authority to support the Act? These statements are deeply concerning. If we should concern ourselves only with the people, then the people need to STOP breeding and abusing dogs and cats so we CAN focus on the people!
amlpotcake 10 years, 5 months ago
"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated" - Gandhi. Keep up the great work Kim and all the BHS staff.
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
How could you go to a beach and there walking towards you, is this shirtless hairy two-legged thing, which more resembles a grizzly bear, than a human being, that it does not make you think, just maybe we human beings are also a part of the animal kingdom? That by us thinking we are more intelligent than animals in terms of speech, skills and knowledge that somehow we humans are the most superior of all animals? But before you get too far ahead with your human superiority, let me remind you, animals too can have feelings, give and receive love. That we are not the only Comrade animal who can die from a broken-heart. Even an animal, like us humans, are aware of their mortality.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 5 months ago
S. Gilbert ..............you make some good points. Join in the chorus with Kim & friends. As for me and my peeps ............. we support humans first .................. just saying. Happy people will take care of the animals ..................................... even Adam did that for a while in Eden
ETJ 10 years, 5 months ago
Perhaps those posting with outrage over human issues should look in the mirror. If those are the causes nearest to your heart, what are YOU doing to assist those children, the homeless, the downtrodden? It seems that only those who care about animals and the environment care deeply enough to keep making noise and at least try to effect change. Where are the petitions and protests for better education, better living conditions for the poor and more opportunities, decent garbage service, anti-crime and drug initiatives, just to name a few? There are really only a handful of people in this country advocating for anything in an organized manner. There are thousands more who always jump up in a huff when an animal issue is brought to the forefront...but any person with a voice can start a movement and work for a cause! Please don't criticize those advocating for animals or the environment if you yourself are not working for any cause that you are so indignant about on this page. If you want those stories to feature prominently in the news, what are you doing to get them featured? The Tribune decided to do this story only after receiving emails and phone calls from concerned advocates who care enough to keep pushing day after day week after tiring week with very little community support to solve a problem which is caused and perpetuated by the community at large - finally an article in the paper about this horrific store and all you can do is attack the people trying to do something about it? You don't have to love animals to understand that the abuse and neglect of animals is directly linked to abuse and mistreatment of humans, and often leads to violence against humans. If we can't even treat the least among us, the truly defenseless and voiceless, with even a modicum of compassion, it does not speak well of us as a nation, and no wonder crime is so high and things are so rough for so many. How many of you criticizing the BHS about the surrey horses ever called the police to report an infraction or a struggling skinny malnourished horse? Have you ever dared to say something to the surrey drivers? Perhaps if more people would join together in compassion and concern for ALL righteous humane causes, this country would be in a better place today.
Jack 10 years, 1 month ago
Um, you missed the point General. Instead of shooting down those that care about animals, why don't YOU start campaigning for a better Bahamas for PEOPLE. Because you're too lazy, that's why. It's easy to sit here and criticize. By the way, many of those that care about animals are also trying to help people and donate a lot of time, money and effort to Bahamian people.
Kalypso 10 years, 5 months ago
ETJ. So well said. Thank you for this!
rblue 10 years, 5 months ago
Everybody in life should stand for a cause that is close to there heart, to help this island or the world around us be more peaceful as one can be. I applaud all parties that is trying to inform, the uninformed individual/s at this time about the sad issue that is taken place on our island with our dogs. But as always you have negative come into play. Keep up the good work to all parties that have the convection to be the voice for these animals, who I feel sometimes have more love and loyalty than humans!
Jack 10 years, 1 month ago
Tourists do often take strays home, for free
TalRussell 10 years, 5 months ago
Maybe a good start to protect Baha Mar and Atlantis economic survival is for PM Christie to get his Minister of Agriculture on the phone to instruct him to call up BHS's Kim Aranha, to assure her that major changes WILL be made immediately within the ministry to guarantee that the BHS will be invited to play the important role the BHS will be needed to play in Bahamaland's tourism over the next years. That by the government partnering with BHS, tourism can only grow much stronger. We as Bahamalander's lie to ourselves each time when we see, hear and read about things which make our sensitivity blood boil, that all will pass and our tourism dependent Bahamaland will eventually pull through. The internet means that millions of previous and potential visitors to Bahamaland read our local news reports at their workstations, in the privacy of their homes or on their hand held devices while on the move. Comrades you can dismiss the importance, with or without enforcement powers, of a proactive Bahamas human Society but you'd be making a major tourism mistake. We are playing with silly putty if we think we can the attract the millions of tourists that will be required over the next years to just economically sustain Baha Mar and Atlantis, yet ignore how we as a civilized nation treat our dogs and carriage horses. A fact worthy of paying attention to - it is estimated that some "100 million potential visitors" to tourism destinations over the next 12 months will have made a decision not to visit a vacation destination - based upon one single fact along - the countries disregard for the proper treatment of their stray dogs. It is estimated that Mexico alone will lose out on 4 million visitors over the next 12 months, all because of the Mexican government's lack of policies to do something tangible about their stray dogs problem.
Bunni 10 years, 5 months ago
If some persons cannot see that this is wrong for animals then we should put someone they love in a cage and see how they feel about it.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 5 months ago
Bunni ................ Bahamians are being caged everyday in little ole Nassau. You're probably caged with multiple locks, screens, bars and alarms etc. No wonder yall carry on like animals in that lil ole hell hole.......... SMH............... I feel your pain ............... but am a free man on da island
Kalypso 10 years, 5 months ago
Back to dragon and the many others who severely neglect and otherwise abuse animals...the despicable things they do...don't they treat their children the way they treat their animals?
Jack 10 years, 1 month ago
You can tell the dog lovers on the island, they are the ones with the smiles. We love our dogs as much as our human family and it shows. Those that leave their dogs outside in the rain and chained up are the unhappy, lonely ones, they will never know the true love of a canine. I think maybe more people around here should love an animal AS MUCH as a human. General, you seem like a very sad and lonely man.
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