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This chained dead dog was discovered behind the former Midass Muffler building in Cole Bay. It was apparently used for dog fighting. Two other dogs and two cats were also discovered at the same location.

 

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The makeshift treadmill used to train the dogs.

 

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Medicines for doping 

 

Dogs, cats discovered in dog-fighting training area

THE DAILY HERALD, February 08, 2005 

COLE BAY-Three dogs, one dead and still tethered with a heavy chain, and two cats were discovered on Monday behind the former Midass Muffler Building where the dogs were apparently being trained for dog fighting. The animals' owner, said to be the owner of a pet shop, was reportedly fined for the deplorable state in which the animals found.

The dogs were behind the building on Road by persons who preferred to remain anonymous, fearing repercussions from the persons involved in the dog fighting ring. Following the discovery, the police were summoned to the scene. Besides the dead dog, another was also chained in the yard and l third was chained and locked in a cage. The cats were locked in a carrying container and were apparently used to bait the dogs so they would become more aggressive in preparation for the dog fighting ring.

For the training, the dogs are tied to a makeshift treadmill and are urged to run by a cat that is tied in front of them, according to reports.

The dogs were removed from the area and are being taken care of at a local kennel. The cats are being cared for at a local vet's office. All of the animals were emaciated and malnourished. One of the cats is so traumatized that all it does is stay in a corner and hiss continuously, while the other is quieter. When taken to the vet, the latter cat spent more than 20 minutes drinking water non-stop.

 

  Illegal dog fighting in Colebay?  Chained dog found dead

                                                                                                                                                                                           The Today, March 01, 2005

COLE BAY — Early Monday morning, police were called regarding animal cruelty in the Cole Bay area. The notice told of the state in. which several animals were found. They were alerted to a secluded road on the intersection at the base of Harold Jack (Cole Bay) Hill. Animals and several items were removed from the premises.

Dr. Chris Dewitt, a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital in Cole Bay, stated that he was informed about the incident. He said that among the items found in the vicinity were: dog treadmills, heavy chains, antibiotics, syringes and vitamins. In his professional opinion, he deduced that dog fighting had to. be the motive for the presence of the items mentioned. He also said that according to his information, four other live animals were removed from the premises other than the dead dog (two other dogs and two cats). In his opinion, the cats appeared malnourished and frightened; he speculated that they might have been used to make the dogs more aggressive. All the dogs were pit bulls.

Dr. Dewitt commented on how well the police department handled the treatment of this case and the animals. He stated that the officers have confiscated the animals that were still alive and have disposed of the body of the dead dog. He said that he was aware, like many others, of the fact that people engaged in cruel acts such as forcing dogs to fight one another, and he applauded the officers again. According to some unconfirmed reports, the owner of the animals runs a pet shop. The police department has not made any official statements with regards to this matter. 

 

     Man found guilty of abusing animals 

                                                                                                                                                                               THE DAILY HERALD, March 08, 2006

PHILIPSBURG--An owner of three dogs and three cats was found guilty by the Court Tuesday of abusing and neglecting his animals. The judge gave Garvey Kim Mathias Courtar (28) a suspended prison sentence of three months and two years' probation. He will also have to pay a fine of US $2,000 to animal rights foundation Animals R Friends SXM, which was instrumental in bringing this case to the Court. The man's animals will be confiscated. The maximum penalty for animal abuse is 6 months. "This is a big day for us," said Monique Hofman-Ruigrok, President of Animals R Friends, before the hearing in this case on Tuesday afternoon. She and some from the gallery were not disappointed. Judge Frank Wieland followed Prosecutor Dikran Sarian in his demand and found Courtar guilty as charged.

"Animals don't have a voice. They can't speak for themselves. They can't complain when they are being abused. We have to do that for them," Hofman said Tuesday.

The case is more than a year hold.

 

Animals R Friends SXM hopes pet shop owner is prosecuted 

                                                                                                                                                                                THE DAILY HERALD, March 02, 2005 

PHIUPSBURG- Animals R Friends Foundation hopes that the Prosecutor's Office will prosecute the pet shop owner who was identified as the owner of the dogs and cats that were apparently used in a dog fighting training camp that was discovered in Cole Bay on Monday.

Monique Hofman of the foundation, who is also a lawyer, told The Daily Herald the owner could be charged with animal cruelty under the existing laws, although she said the fine was much too low.

This is where the draft ordinance entitled "Ordinance for the Protection of Animals in the island territory of St. Maarten" that was submitted by the foundation to the Island Government in December 2003 comes in handy, she stated. In the draft ordinance, there is the possibility for a prison term of maximum two months and a fine of NAf. 2,000 maximum."

The ordinance is being looked at by the government's legal affairs department and an advice on it has to be submitted to the Executive Council, which will then decide what will be done with the draft document, Hofman said. It is not clear how long the process of getting the draft ordinance adopted by the Island Council will take. "We hope it happens soon, because cases like the one on Monday need to be properly addressed," she said.

Meanwhile, Hofman said, there is a definite need for more awareness about the sadistic dog fighting rings and the cruelty and harm done to animals to fuel this "sport." The foundation will be working on an approach to create more awareness and insight into dog fighting in the community.

She also urged persons who have information on the dog fighting rings on the island lo report it to the Prosecutor's Office. All information will be kept confidential.