Animal Welfare Organisations from across Barbados gathered today at the Bali Beach Club & Restaurant to mark the anniversary of the death of Sparky, a dog whose brutal drowning at Pebbles Beach on September 13, 2022, sparked outrage after video of the incident went viral.
The event at the Bay Street, St Michael location, was hosted by the group Be Their Voice Inc and supported by several charities and rescue partners to address animal cruelty, weak enforcement of penalties and the state of animal welfare in Barbados.
Lavern Beresford, president of Be Their Voice Animal Welfare, compared Barbados to international standards, pointing to countries using technology and legislation to protect animals.
“This is Barbados,” she said, recalling the chilling remark made by Sparky’s owner when he was confronted during the killing – a comment she said reflected a belief that cruelty could go unpunished on the island. “Without the Government’s help, we are struggling,” Beresford added, as she called on authorities to enforce existing legislation and impose real consequences on offenders.
Adrian Wiggins, former president of the Ark Animal Welfare Society, echoed the call for Government action, noting that despite the tireless efforts of local organisations, enforcement remained lacking. “There’s more that needs to be done and that’s where the Government comes in,” he said.
Wiggins referenced research linking animal abuse to broader violent behaviour, stressing that the issue extends beyond animals themselves. “Animal abuse is real and an urgent issue in Barbados,” he stated, adding that public education, starting in schools, could help create lasting change.
Haley Bain of the Barbados Equestrian Experience spoke about the welfare of horses used in tourism, particularly at Pebbles Beach, and drew a firm line against unsafe or illegal practices involving visitors.
“It’s not legal” and “it’s not ethical”, she said of unauthorised horse rides, maintaining that education of tourists was central to her organisation’s mission.
Bain said Barbados has resources many other islands lack, including access to large-animal veterinarians. “There’s no excuse for animal neglect, for mistreatment, for malnourishment,” she said, stressing that the missing piece is stronger government support.
The event closed with organisers reaffirming that Sparky’s death, though tragic, had become a catalyst for change, and a reminder that the fight against animal cruelty in Barbados was far from over.
Back in June, Be Their Voice discontinued its challenge to the sentence imposed on first-time offender Davino Howard, 28, of Bullens Avenue, Dalkeith Road, St Michael. He had pleaded guilty to wantonly ill-treating and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal – his dog Sparky – on September 13, 2022.
He also pleaded guilty to withholding information, which had been lawfully requested by Sergeant Cecil Taylor, on September 16, and that being the owner of a dog which was older than six months, he kept that dog without obtaining a licence, on September 13, 2022.
Then Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes’ had ordered Howard to complete 12 months’ probation for each offence, a sentence raised the ire of the animal rights activists who felt it was too lenient. (DDS)
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