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DOGS UNDER SIEGE

Dogs under siege - file

DOGS ARE NATURAL hunters, however following the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) concerns about a possible outbreak of leptospirosis, the hunters have become the hunted.

Since the society raised concerns about a possible outbreak of the diseases among dogs two weeks ago, the society has had to rescue at least seven dogs that were being stoned to death.

According to a representative who did not wish to be named from the organisation, the JSPCA had to rescue six stray dogs in one incident and one in another last week. The incidents occurred in New Kingston and Duhaney Park. The representative said the dogs were badly hurt, however they have since treated them.

Checks at a few Corporate Area veterinary clinics found no reports of other dogs being attacked because of the leptospirosis scare.

But while some dogs have been targeted, the JSPCA say it has not yet been able to confirm a case of the disease. A veterinarian at the society said two samples have been sent for testing and these have not yet returned. However the society says it continues to see about one to two possible cases every week.

Some dogs vaccinated

DR. F.C Alexander, a veterinarian at the Veterinary Medical Clinic said he has not seen any number of cases that would support suggestions that there might be an outbreak of the disease. He added that the dogs are usually vaccinated against leptospirosis shortly after they are born and some pure bred dogs receive the vaccine once a year.

The Ministry of Health also recently denied reports of an outbreak, claiming that of the seven samples that it has tested none have been found positive. Dr. Linnette Peters, Director of Veterinary Public Health in the ministry said in a press release that only one of the 10 to 15 veterinary clinics in Kingston has reported that it has seen possible cases of the disease.

In the meantime residents in Duhaney Park, one of the communities where the JSPCA has said a number of suspected cases are from, say they do not have a problem with strays and are not worried about an outbreak. "We only have strays come here in the night but we don't know where dem come from. Plus you have rats in di gully and no matter what you do people still throw things over there. But mi nuh hear nutten much about it to feel like there is a problem," Fay, a resident said.

Residents of Vineyard Town also denied any problem with strays noting that pet owners were very protective of their animals and strays were hardly seen in the area. However the JSPCA is appealing to residents within the Corporate Area not to abuse the stray dogs. "We are happy to pick-up any animals. Just call us at anytime and we will immediately send the ambulance out to collect them," the representative said.