AT PRESENT, there are many stray dogs roaming the roads and streets of Guyana. These animals sometimes race after pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists and motor vehicles, barking and snarling. The animals confuse and frighten road users and persons often have to walk with sticks to protect themselves. The dogs sometimes cause accidents.

Not so long ago, a cycle race started from the Wales Police Station, and after the cyclists had ridden for about one hundred yards, one cyclist crashed into a stray dog that got into his way. The cyclist tumbled down and had to get back on to his cycle, and in so doing, lost a lot of ground to his rivals. The rider muttered some words and I am sure that the words were not words of elation.

The often unclean and untidy stray dogs which roam around cause the environment to look bad, giving local persons and foreigners a poor impression of our country. Additionally, when the strays are struck down and killed, their carcasses are sometimes left to rot, further detracting from the beauty of the land.

The dangers and unflattering impressions caused by the presence of stray dogs cannot be ignored. Our politicians, preachers, teachers and other persons who speak to large audiences need to remind dog owners constantly to be their brothers’ keepers, and the media need to play a role in terms of encouraging individuals to keep their animals off the roadways.

If the messages of the aforementioned persons and institutions go unheeded, then the present laws with respect to the control of stray dogs should be enforced. If needed, a new law or laws should be enacted or the present one amended so that the stray dog nuisance will be diminished or gotten rid of.
ERROL R.RAMDHANY