The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

FOURTEEN charges of animal cruelty were brought against Terry Miller, the executive director of the Bahamas Association for Social Health, in Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning.

Miller, 64, of Bethel Avenue appeared before Magistrate Saboula Swain accused of mistreating and under nourishing five horses, a buck goat and a dozen rabbits that were housed at the Chippingham property between February 19 and April 8.

The horses, named Red, Arab, Soca, Zeus and Martini, have been at the centre of a bitter ownership battle for more than six years.

Mr Miller pleaded not guilty to all of the charges when asked to answer by Magistrate Swain.

“Did you get any schooling?” the magistrate then asked the accused.

“I worked with people who cared for the horses. I did not get personal training, I was an owner,” Miller said.

Miller claimed that BASH had veterinarians from the Bahamas Humane Society (BHS) come to the property and offer assistance to the horses.

“We’ve been challenged at moments,” he said, adding that the BHS aided in making food for the horses more affordable due to BASH’s limited resources.

“Much of what he’s said with respect to ownership is incorrect,” BHS’ attorney Metta MacMillan-Hughes interjected.

She stressed that he nor staff at the property followed advice and guidelines on proper care taking for the horses, leading to two of them - Zeus and Martini - having to be euthanised and the remaining three were not far off from a similar fate.

Michael Kemp, attorney for BASH, said the horses, as he understood were not on BHS’s compound but in private care.

“When the case goes on, there’ll be evidence as to why this case was brought,” Mr Kemp stressed.

“You have proper stables?” Magistrate Swain asked Miller.

“I do,” the accused replied.

Miller was asked how often the vets came to see the horses.

“Vets come at least every two months to check our horses. We have space in the back of BASH where they roam and graze.”

Ms MacMillian-Hughes noted that the horses had already been removed under Section 51 of the Animal Protection and Control Act 2010 but made a formal request with respect to the rabbits, goat and any other animal not considered a pet on the property. The order was granted until the conclusion of the case.

Mr Kemp alleged that prior to the complaints lodged against his client, “people from Lyford Cay had approached BASH to purchase these animals.”

“The gist I’m getting is the Bahamas Humane Society’s concern,” the magistrate said.

“I loved those horses despite what they may look like,” Miller said.

“When it reached the point when it looked like I could do no more, when Patricia Leigh-Wood came to me 10 weeks ago, we tried again to see what could be done. It’s not a simple matter of me hiding and mistreating them. I always call on BHS,” Miller said.

“I will find out at trial,” Magistrate Swain said.

Miller was granted $5,000 bail with no suretors or reporting conditions.

He was told to return to Magistrate’s Court on June 20 at 10am for trial.

Miller was arraigned under Section 46 of the Animal Protection and Control Act 2010, which states that anyone found guilty of an offence of cruelty is liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.