fp Turks and Caicos

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are presently investigating an incident involving the death of a female in the North Caicos area. A post mortem will take place to confirm the exact cause of death.

Reports suggest that this person may have been attacked by a number of wild dogs overnight in the Whitby area of North Caicos. It has also been reported that there were three other attacks by these dogs which caused significant injuries to persons in the same community. One attack occurred on July 22 and the other attacks occurred during the overnight hours of July 24.

Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and Department of Agriculture personnel have now deployed from Providenciales and Grand Turk to join locally based colleagues on North Caicos, including the Director of Agriculture and the Chief Veterinarian.

The Department of Agriculture is organising a trapping team to deal with the situation forthwith. It will be working with the local police to control the feral dog population.

An armed Police tactical Unit is on the scene.

Additional vehicles have been made available to staff.

Persons should take the following precautionary measures:

• The Police advise the general public to stay off the beach between Pelican Beach and Prospect at Whitby until further notice.
• Use extreme caution if you see a number of dogs travelling together.
• Try to avoid walking on the beaches or road at nights. Please ensure that you carry a stick in the event that you have to fend off feral dogs.
• Walk in groups and always inform persons where you are going.
• Wear brightly coloured clothing when walking on roads and beaches.
• Try not to appear threatening to dog (do not stare at the dog, do not smile to show your teeth and stand at angle to the dog)
• Do not display fear or weakness. Never turn your back to a dog and run away. A dog’s natural instinct will be to chase and catch you.
• Shield yourself! If the dog does attack, “feed” him your jacket, shirt, purse, bicycle, umbrella or anything that you can put between yourself and the dog.
• Whenever possible seek higher ground if an attack seems imminent (for example, climbing a tree or mounting a fence)
• If attacked, and you fall, curl up in a ball and protect your face, neck, and head.
• Never approach a barking, snarling, sleeping, eating, or nursing dog.

Susan Malcolm, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Environment and Home Affairs, said: “As a precaution, we urge all residents to avoid the known areas where feral dogs are known to frequent. Please limit night walks on the beach and if necessary whenever you go out to do so in a group. Residents are also advised that if you must cross these areas, arm yourselves with sticks or some other implement to effectively fend off the feral dogs. The Department also strongly suggests that elderly persons and children avoid these areas or be accompanied by people who could offer protection. Dogs in packs tend to roam at nights; extra precaution is urged especially from dusk until dawn.”

The Department of Agriculture urges all residents to report all sightings, all attacks and attempted attacks and all dangerous dogs (dogs that have bitten other dogs and humans) to Department of Agriculture: 946-5801 extension 82203; Police: 911.