A 42 year old female of Central Eleuthera was reportedly attacked by a pack of seven dogs on Friday morning, December 27th, 2013, as she was walking alone along a north shore beach located between James’ Cistern and the Governor’s Harbour Airport. The pack which appeared to be led by a pitbull left Mrs. Carnetta Gaitor with serious wounds about her legs, knees, and arms. Her husband was informed of the vicious attack by a winter resident passerby and his wife. The victim was subsequently flown into New Providence for treatment. He confirmed later on Friday evening that she was being treated in hospital, and would be held there for several days under observation, because of the severity of some of the wounds.
Mr. Gaitor shared with The Eleutheran, that he and his wife often walked the beach, and that she had left shortly after 9am from their home to take her walk. He said that she described going into the water hoping to get away from the dogs, but they followed her and continued their attack offshore. When asked whether or not the dogs seemed like a wild pack, he described his wife having seen collars on a number of them, indicating that they had owners.
Police were informed and a statement was given while the couple were at the local clinic before going into the capital. Mr. Gaitor shared that the officer said that the matter would be dealt with but as of Friday evening, to his knowledge, the dangerous dog pack was still at large.
This startling incident echoes the spate of vicious dog attacks, which occured on Harbour Island and spanned a period of almost three months, seeing at least half a dozen cases of dog attacks reported, according to local police, before the responsible dog pack of four were put down on June 1st, 2012.
Two people, the known owners of the dog pack, pled guilty before magistrate Turnquest on Monday, June 4th, 2012, and were convicted for “Permitting a ferocious dog to be at large”. They were each sentenced on Tuesday, June 5th to 20 days or a $100 fine, as well as $4,500 in compensation to the final victim.
Also on June 4th, 2012, the Animal Control Unit (ACU) of the Department of Agriculture visited the island and took part in a town meeting in response to the spate of attacks, to educate the public on the responsibilities of animal ownership, to bring awareness to dogs roaming the beaches on island and the challenges they posed to beachgoers, as well as educating residents about the licensing of their animals annually and the consequences of having unlicensed animals. According to Dr. Springer, Acting Senior Veterinary Officer in the ACU, their goal was to ensure that there would not be a proliferation of vicious dogs on the island, and to encourage living harmoniously with the animals around us in a controlled environment.
The meeting was held in cooperation with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Ministry of Tourism, Local Government authorities, the local Administrator and the Animal Control Unit of the Department of Agriculture.
Also at that time, Dr. Springer had stated that they were looking into a proposal to set up a local branch of the ACU in the central Eleuthera area of Hatchet Bay, to be able to more efficiently service the island of Eleuthera.
The public can reach the ACU in New Providence at 325-1173, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
