Nothing has changed

February 29, 2012

Dear Sir,

Abuse, cruelty, dysfunction. Twenty-five years, and nothing has changed in Bermuda.

Observe carefully the domestic animal(s) in a household, and by extension in a community, and you will know what goes on there.

Ask the names of domestic animals, and you will learn something about what goes on in the caregivers’ minds. The news of the case of the dog named ‘Venom’ is for me so very sad because I was foolish enough, or perhaps deluded enough, to think we had made a positive difference, and it was that hope which helped to fade some of the more appalling images and memories of animal abuse with which we were confronted on a regular basis at our veterinary practice.

Seldom did we get any support from the relevant Government departments, quite the reverse in fact. Seldom did the judiciary treat offences with serious consideration, and if so, then judgments were overturned later on appeal, and the offenders with a grim certainty went on to reoffend, and in many cases graduated to other domestic situations, involving children, spouses and family.

If we have compassion in our souls, we have it for all things living. How can a young person name a domestic dog “Venom”, and respect that animal enough to see it as a creature requiring nurture, care and integration into his daily routine? All domestic animals like young humans are kept “prisoners” so to speak, of our will, our daily routines, our state of mind. Care for other creatures has nothing to do with financial resources, and everything to do with self respect, integration in the community, happy and healthy recreational pursuits and personal care.

It is not at all surprising that violence has been an unstoppable element of young Bermuda. No section of society is spared, neither the perpetrators, nor those who look away, distancing themselves maintaining they have no part in its genesis.

ANGELA MAUREEN WARE-CIETERS MRCVS

St David’s