SISE Animal Welfare Board

Just as hurricanes weaken over land, doubt is replaced with faith as we build our foundation on Christ. We are then able to see spiritual hurricanes in their proper perspective, and our capacity to overcome them is enlarged. Then, “when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, … it shall have no power … to drag [us] down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which [we] are built, which is a sure foundation.” God is a merciful God, thanks for your Love and thanks to the faith of our People in Belize!

To all my family, friends and loyal supporters my heart felt thank you for coming out on the 6 March to vote for PUP Team 7, the majority had spoken and to God be the glory for God is in control no matter what the results are. Thanks one more for the opportunity to have served you all for the last 3 years, God bless!

Please join me in wishing Prince Zion the happiest of birthday 🥳 He is our awesome and super energetic son🦸‍♂️. we LOVE him and hope he make the big 7 a wonderful Year! 🍰

General Vaccination Guidelines for Dogs in Cayo 🐾 * Expand Photo

🔸 " Why should I vaccinate my dog? "
Our pets are valuable and their lives matter. Vaccinating pets safeguards them from known threats that can plague the streets of Cayo amongst animals. A healthy animal is a much safer animal. For example, Cayo district has many street dogs suffering from Parvovirus, Adenovirus and Canine Distemper. And if your dog is one that is allowed to roam the streets at will, they are at a very high risk of contracting these diseases and they will continue the cycle of spreading it. Which causes further suffering. Prevent their suffering and further suffering by staying on top of their health through vaccinations and consultations with a vet. Please note these diseases are not transmittable to humans.

🔸" I cannot afford to vaccinate my dog:"
We understand that vaccinating your pet may not be high on the list of priorities financially speaking. Vaccinations are also affordable ranging from 10 to 50 BZD. At times certain Vets in Cayo will also give periodic discounts for vaccinations. Follow them on Facebook for announcements. See our Resources for Vet contacts in Cayo.

🔸 "I already self- vaccinate my dogs:"
We would like to make you aware it is illegal under Belize Law so self vaccinate animals. (CAP. 326, VETERINARY SURGEONS ACT) It must be done under the supervision of a registered Veterinary Doctor. Animal health can be complicated and a Veterinary Doctor is trained for several years to treat animals. For example if a dog has an underlying condition that has not been treated, a vaccination can potentially kill them or complicate their condition. Always take your pets to a registered Veterinary Doctor to receive consultation and treatment. See our Resources for Vet contacts in Cayo and registered vets of Belize.
(https://www.veterinarysurgeonbelize.org/currently-registered-vets/)
(https://www.veterinarysurgeonbelize.org/find-a-vet/)

Good morning SISE!
Today's spotlight goes out to Jody Bevan and their 14 Livestock Guardian Dogs. Below is their short but sweet story:

Each morning the Livestock Guardian Dogs meet us at the house, our yard dogs and us go out to do the chores on the farm (note no collars). This is about a 2 hour walk about the farm. Then they come back here to all eat their food together. In total there are 14 dogs (Kangals / Dobermans / German Shepherds / Vizslas).

We love that these beautiful dogs get a great exercise for the day and also share a wonderful meal together after a successful day of chores. 🥰

Jody Bevan can you please inbox our page for your small token of appreciation. 🥳

Good Morning SISE residence!
The SISE Animal Welfare Board has an exciting weekly online activity that we hope you and your furry or feathery friend can be apart of to educate our twin town on how we can care for our animal friends.
We invite our Twin town residence to share a picture, video or any creative way that you show love/care to your animal friend. That can be a simple as taking them for a walk, building them a shelter, maybe giving them a bath? You choose, and tell us a story behind why you care for your pet!

We will be sharing your stories on our page to educate others, and hopefully with that goal they can learn from you.

Within our board we will choose one of your story every week to be a spotlight post and we will be gifting you with a small token of appreciation.

So, what are we waiting for? LET US GET STARTED

(Feel free to inbox, tag us or drop your comment about how you care for your Pet)

Dear Residents of Cayo and Belize,

It takes action from the community to help aid animals in need. As local humane volunteers are constantly overwhelmed with cases needing assistance we ask and encourage people to step up and help whenever possible.
Below is a brief guide on helping injured or sick street dogs alongside local veterinary contacts for Cayo. Together as a people we can change our community for the better one act of kindness at a time.

"Saving one animal won't change the whole world, but the whole world will change for that one animal"

Dear Residents of San Ignacio/Santa Elena,

San Ignacio & Santa Elena Town Council and the SISE Animal Welfare Board hereby notifies the general public that it is against the law according to Belize Dogs Act Chapter 153 to allow your owned dog or cat to roam the streets at large. You may be fined and cited if they are not kept within the gates of your property or tethered in some way. We remind you to abide by the law and keep your pets at home. They must be provided adequate food, water, shelter, medical care and exercise for their well being.

Dear Residents of San Ignacio/Santa Elena,

San Ignacio & Santa Elena Town Council and the SISE Animal Welfare Board hereby notifies the general public that it is against the law according to Belize Cruelty to Animals Act Chapter 115 to commit acts of cruelty and neglect toward animals. This includes not providing adequate food, water and shelter, engaging in dog fighting and physically harming any animal by beating or other forms of torture or abuse. Punishment includes fines and seizure of the animal. Under no circumstances is cruelty acceptable. All cruelty must be reported to your local police station. If you see something, say something. We encourage you to abide by the law and act with compassion. We encourage you to spread the word and be a good example to family, friends and others in your community.

We want to hear from the community,
So we ask, what do you think needs immediate change in the twin towns community for animal welfare? What's the biggest problem you want to see tackled by your Animal Welfare board and town council? Comment below!

To all residents of our beautiful Twin Town welcome to our informational Page for the SISE Animal Welfare Board. I like to thank God firstly to be given an opportunity to serve my Twin Town and you the residents for entrusting me with such privilege to serve. My Board made up of passionate volunteers and myself your humble servant Councilor Rodriguez hereby commit ourselves to raise our voices for the voiceless, to stop the inhumane treatment and show our humanity. I ask all residents Pet owners and non Pet owners to help us stop the abuses' and abuser, animals just want our affection if you cant love them, don't abuse them give them up for adoption. Animals also have right to live!

Update on the cruelty incident in Benque:

Friday morning we were contacted via Instagram by a family member that participated in the hanging of the dog. He is defending the action, stating that the dog attacked one of their lambs and had bitten people and attacked other people’s’ pets in the past. The person did not deny what happened, and in fact stated that neighbours agreed with them to “do what had to be done.” He sent us a picture of the dead dog with the rope around her neck and stated “The owners of the pit bull were ignorant and irresponsible for the dog’s actions and so the dog had to pay the price for their lesson to be learned.” He told us we should delete our “fake report” post and apologize and mind our own business.

We will not delete the post and we will not apologize. We posted for witnesses to an act that was described to us to step forward and go to the police, and we did not name this family - a courtesy they do not deserve.

Subsection 14(1) of the Belize Dog Act Chapter 153 states that “Whenever it appears to a magistrate on a complaint being made to him under the Summary Jurisdictions Acts, that a dog is vicious or savage, whether to animals or human beings...the magistrate may order the owner of the dog to keep it under proper control or in such a manner that it will not be a nuisance, or may order the owner to destroy the dog.” It is most certainly not a matter for private citizens to determine, or to carry out the torture of an animal to teach people a lesson. OF COURSE we are saddened if this dog was responsible for the deaths of other animals or for injuries to people. But this does not excuse what occurred.

Every dog owner in Belize is required under the Dog Act to keep their dog on their property or have it leashed or carried and under control at all times. Loose animals can be seized by any police officer in Belize. Should the pup have been running loose? Absolutely, unequivocally not. However, if this person’s claims are true, their lawful option once they had the dog tied and it was not a threat was to call the police and have them and a magistrate deal with the matter. Instead, they made a conscious decision to hang her to death. Section 6 of the Cruelty to Animals Act Chapter 115 states that “Any person who cruelly beats, ill-treats, over-drives, over-loads or tortures, or causes or procures to be ill-treated, beaten, overdriven, abused or tortured any animal is guilty of an offence...” and are liable to fines and to compensation to the owner or damages. We are pretty sure that hanging a dog is considered ill treating or torture.

Please learn your responsibilities as dog owners. Familiarize yourselves with both the Dog Act and Cruelty Act. We are providing links to the current acts here:

http://www.belizelaw.org/web/lawadmin/PDF%20files/cap153.pdf

https://sagahumanesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Belize-Law-Cruetlty-to-animals-Act-Chapter-115.pdf

These acts have not been amended for over 20 years. We, along with the other Humane Societies in Belize, are working to have these laws upgraded and to increase the ridiculously small penalties they can apply.

We are disappointed that the witnesses to this act are refusing to file police reports as is the owner of the dead dog.

Her name was Fifi.