Four dogs at the centre of recent attacks on persons and livestock were euthanised over the weekend following an order by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).
The RVIPF confirmed the operation in a statement to the media on Monday January 16, stating that the latest dog attack which was reported, occurred in Pleasant Valley on Saturday.
“A neighbour’s dog entered an adjacent property and bit the foot of a guest of the property owner. The property owner reported that the dog, which is unregistered, had been seen off-leashed in the neighbourhood and had been on his property in the past,” the RVIPF stated.
“The owner of the dog was subsequently reported for having an unregistered dog and warned of prosecution in relation to injuries sustained to the victim,” the police added.
Police said the other three dogs were also all unregistered and belonged to a Sea Cows Bay resident.
On several occasions the three dogs were reported to have killed livestock in the area in addition to attacking and injuring tenants who reside on the dog owner’s property.
Following the incidents, the RVIPF is reminding residents of their responsibility to secure their dogs to prevent them from endangering members of the public or livestock.
“The Pounds and Livestock Brands Act, 2004 makes provision for any animal found straying in a public place or trespassing on any private land to be captured and impounded. The Dogs (Prevention of Injury to Person, Livestock and Poultry) Act, 2001 further states that officers are in right to destroy, either by shooting or put down in some other manner which will cause as little pain as possible, any dangerous dog,” the police stated.
The RVIPF also reminded all dog owners that they must register their dogs with the Department of Agriculture and place the ID registration tags on the collar of the dog.