Dear Editor,

The first step in solving a problem is identifying it! One problem that needs to be recognized is the mistreatment of beasts of burden in Guyana. The public needs to be informed about the inhumanity perpetrated against donkeys by some ‘humans.’

The week before Christmas, as I drove South on Vlissengen Rd by Castellani House, I saw two boys on a donkey; as usual the donkey was not properly attached to the poorly put together cart and the poor little animal was limping and swaying. To add to his distress the boys were beating him, As soon as they saw me, one held up the rope to show me they were not using the electrical wire whip they once had used. I went about my business and then caught up with them as they turned unto Lama Ave by Shell Service Station. I asked them to stop and to my utter disbelief the suffering of the donkey was beyond words.

The boys told me someone in Sophia had thrown acid on their donkey. As a result his ears had been burned partly off and what remained folded downwards. I named him Floppy.

They showed me his side where the hair was burnt off and the skin was blistered. One of his eyes was damaged and glazed over. Floppy’s mouth was bruised from the constant pulling on the oversized bit in his mouth and his left hip had been broken and must have caused severe pain when he walked. There were fresh gashes on different parts of his body as though someone had used him to test the edge of a sharp knife. All I could think about was how to free this donkey from his life of misery and pain. I asked the boys if they would sell Floppy to me and two days later they came to my home with the owner and a deal was made for the purchase. The owner said some people in Sophia do cruel and terrible things to animals, especially donkeys.

He said, “Some don’t want to see you succeed so they pull you down by abusing your animals.” I have heard those words many times before.

To my regret, Floppy was beyond saving and was put down with minimum pain. His body was donated to the Zoo for the cats. The Zoo paid most of the cost to the owner and I paid the small balance. It was a very painful experience but at least I know Floppy will suffer no more.

Unfortunately, there are way too many horses and donkeys working as beasts of burden while sick, injured and in severe pain. This needs to cease! Parents should keep their kids in school and teach them to be kind to all living things. Politicians should remember that only with appropriate laws, well enforced, can animals be protected.

With all the land in Guyana are there not a few acres that could be turned into a safe haven for old and injured donkeys and horses – maybe a privately owned farm or a public sector reserve?

For those like Floppy that are beyond saving, owners can help the Georgetown Zoo save thousands of dollars by donating dead or dying animals to feed the cats and Harpy Eagles.

If you know of any fresh road kill or dying animals, please call the Zoo at 223-5431 or the GSPCA at 226-4237. The Zoo needs animals such as cows, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys and horses to feed their cats and Harpys.

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Sometime in your life you will have been all of these.”  George Washington Carver

Yours faithfully,
Syeada Manbodh