BE prepared to be shocked by what you see if you venture to this evening's forum on cruelty to animals.

That warning comes from Bermuda Police Service animal protection officer PC Yvonne Ricca, who has to deal with the results of the maltreatment of animals on a daily basis.

The forum, to be held at Horticulture Hall at the Botanical Gardens, from 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m., will feature a visual demonstration aimed at showing what types of animal neglect are going on in Bermuda and how the public can help to alleviate the animals' suffering.

"We will have a Power Point demonstration and the public will probably be shocked by the pictures of what is going on around them," PC Ricca said yesterday.

Joining PC Ricca on the panel will be Government veterinarian Dr. Jonathan Nesbitt and head animal warden Geoffrey Benevides, as well as three representatives from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Members of the public are invited to attend and join the discussion.

"All of the agencies work together, so we have brought everybody together for this event," PC Ricca said.

"It's basically about cruelty and making the public more aware of it, what they can do about it and inviting them to meet with people who deal with it day to day.

"Cruelty usually involves the basics of shelter, water and food. We often see cases of dogs being tied up to trees or not being fed properly.

"These days we are hearing more complaints about horses, particularly the ones that pull carriages."

She added that the forum was about educating the public as well as giving them an opportunity to air their views.

"It could be that some people are not aware that offences are taking place, so we want to make the public aware of what to look out for. And we also want to let them know the limits of what we can do."

PC Ricca has been working as animal protection officer for the past four years. She said her job was stressful at times.

"It is a stressful job, because of the things you deal with every day. It's very sad, to know that animals are suffering and I am limited in what I can do about it.

"But I always look on the positive side. I am doing something to help the situation and the laws are being changed and improved."