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Do you think Guam's animal cruelty laws are adequate? (Poll Closed)

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Total Votes: 140
13 Comments

  • KT Z - 9 years ago

    There is nothing more disgraceful than the way animals are treated on Guam. I spent the entire time I was on island working to help the animal situation, only to be shouted at, ridiculed and generally treated terribly for my efforts. I have been yelled at by Senators more concerned with their own agendas (breeding pit bulls for money and leaving them diseased in the yard) and battled with GPD over picking up an injured dog in the road. I had to spend my days cleaning up the messes of the people of Guam who chose to starve their dogs, keep them on chains until they became mentally unstable, let them breed over and over until their insides fell out. I know this is graphic but it needs to be known. I vowed that when I left Guam (taking two rescues with be) I would tell everyone how AWFUL Guam treats animals. It is not an island paradise, it is a cesspool and a hopeless place for animals. Something HAS to be done, and it begins with enforcement of the laws and rules that the government had in place. In addition, extensive education of the general populace is necessary immediately. There is NO reason animals should ever suffer the way they do in Guam. It is comparable to a third world country in that way, and "island pride" should also consist of proper treatment of all living things, every day. Remember, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Be a voice for the animals of Guam, stand up and work for their lives.

  • Animal lover - 9 years ago

    Omg! Let me start with how horrible the government here on Guam just neglects the poor animal conditions here! I hope they read what I'm saying because there departments should be investigated... dept.. of agriculture . The so called animal control is who and where on guam? The mayors, governor hello where are you ? I mean do you NOT see the animals just miserably living on the streets here? Oh yes I forgot your ignorant answer was oh let's shoot them( in the newspaper) is that really how government officials run things? Wow! I gotta say I personally intend to continue to try to get help from any animal rights group I can get in here to guam!! I have a few other ideas to but I can tell you the dept of agriculture should close down ... What they put you through to bring your taken care of dog here but they don't give a crap about the poor strays on guam is just un acceptable ! Do your job how do you people sleep at night I bet allot better then the strays do!!! Anyway let me just tell you what happened to this dog lover.... There was a stray hit by a car on the side of the road .... Over the weekend .... We called every vet and the so called animal control ( no one available on weekend) we got no help from anyone and just didn't no what to until 9pm that night wise owl did call us thank god and thank this vet .... We told him what we found and he said being him in we did and this dogs skull was cracked among many other things so with that he had to put down! We were so upset we have 2 dogs and try to help any stray!!! But I can tell you all I have never felt so sickened by a place with no feelings from the government officials about this horrible out of control situation !!!! I no gains does what it can and we also donate but this problem is way bigger then gains! And the officials here no it but do nothing? Why? This cruelty that sparked this form on here is just horrific and the guys must be mental but there are nice loving animals all over guam and maybe everyone here should get pictures and signs about the animals and stand outside the governors office .... How long has he been in office here? Hmmm! We should all form a group and keep after this until someone gets it !!!! Hello something has to be done!!!!!! I could go on but will stop here.....

  • Animal lover - 9 years ago

    Omg! Let me start with how horrible the government here on Guam just neglects the poor animal conditions here! I hope they read what I'm saying because there departments should be investigated... dept.. of agriculture . The so called animal control is who and where on guam? The mayors, governor hello where are you ? I mean do you NOT see the animals just miserably living on the streets here? Oh yes I forgot your ignorant answer was oh let's shoot them( in the newspaper) is that really how government officials run things? Wow! I gotta say I personally intend to continue to try to get help from any animal rights group I can get in here to guam!! I have a few other ideas to but I can tell you the dept of agriculture should cl

  • Bambi Leone - 9 years ago

    Just a side note to Fiipper, the people at the shelter are paid employees, yes there are a few regular volunteers but the staff is paid...

  • Flipper - 9 years ago

    I'll have to admit to Islander 2 that I was quite upset as well when I read the comments posted. I am pleased and relieved to know your comments were not primarily holding G.A.I.N. responsible for addressing, much less correcting our stray and owned pet population. I know the good probably outweighs the bad here, but like most things, we see the negative side first. I agree with your comments much more now and am glad to hear how you support the shelter and your vet!

    It's also comforting to hear from the others who commented throughout the day today. It's hard for some to agree 100% with each other but it looks like people are trying. I sympathize with the task at hand for pets who are either too old or cannot be successfully placed because of past abuse and conditioning. That would be the hardest for me as a pet owner for most of my life. I had the unfortunate experience to comfort and let one of our family member pets go in peace with the assistance of G.A.I.N. It was difficult but we all had peace of mind that he went on to a better place. He closed his eyes and slept on my lap all the way home for the last time. So our family can empathize with Ms. Balajada's feelings too. There just isn't a perfect answer at this time.

    And while Mr. Henderson's comments sound right on target, it is truly a scary thought to have someone like that loose in our small island community. I wonder how the accused would feel if we followed the rule of "an eye for an eye" in literal terms? Not only to his human victim but that of these two four legged family members!

    And lastly, my only curious question to Phil would be "how long have you resided on Guam?" I may be totally wrong but it doesn't sound as if he's had disappointing news of this sort on an almost daily basis here.

    I know it is very easy for all of us to point the finger at our elected leaders since, well, not only is it very confrontational but we and our leaders need not forget who voted them into office. Just remember, we as an organized community are ultimately the ones who employ them. I feel we have the power to vote them into office, and if after they are elected to office and they have not made good on their promises to us then we do have the collective power to demand that is needed to have them removed from office. Remember They work for us. .
    LET'S REMIND THEM OF THAT.

    V/R FLIPPER

  • Phil - 9 years ago

    For a developed community GOVGUAM has got to have one of the worst track records anywhere when it comes to animal control. Strays and "owned" dogs both are allowed to roam free, threatening their safety and that of the community. What is done about it? Nothing.

  • Bill Henderson - 9 years ago

    The recent case of dog abuse raises this question. I have never witnessed such a horrific video of dog abuse and this evil person should be punished far beyond the current law. He is a registered sex offender and his attempt to kill this dog puts him as being a homicidal threat to everyone on Guam. I never want to see him released and the law should make an example of his aberrant behavior by keeping him locked up for many years.

  • Jennifer Balajadia - 9 years ago

    GAIN needs to be more aggressive in having dogs adopted. And they should not euthanize the dogs. They also have feelings like human beings. Another shelter should be build for Senior Dogs that can be transfered from GAIN or people can surrender their dogs. A place they can spend their remaining years knowing that they are loved and cared for. Also the shelter should be active in having foster parents for the dogs. At least before they cross the rainbow bridge they would have happy memories of their life that they can cherish forever.

  • Islander 2 - 9 years ago

    Don't get me wrong , we need a facility like GAIN here that's is why I donate often but if there is no enforcement then it's a lost cause , they could have a Weekend pet adoption rally at GPO or Micronesian mall and bring the pups/kittens or their well behaved adult dog/cats and set up an adoption booth and/or pass out coupons to promote spay an sped neutering of pets , maybe even info posters on the stray dog problems etc..
    More needs to be done to promote adoption and to educate the younger generations of the problems we have here concerning stray animals and the inhumane treatment of them. Maybe it's just my wishful thinking but it's my wish .

  • Islander 2 - 9 years ago

    I have donated money and supplies to GAIN on many occasions , I'm a dog lover and have had a couple of cats in the past , I own two dogs I picked up on the streets in dededo as a pup , they happy and great family members , I had them spayed and neutered at the best veterinarian clinic I know Wise Owl . your an animal lover as I am , I wish more of you are around on island to help voice our opinions and try to put a stop to this inhumane treatment perpetrated by some of these evil jerks on island. More people needs to get angry and voice their opinions and I'm sure the Senators will see this as an opportunity to earn some votes and get off their butts to do something about it. This video of an a-hole slamming a dog on the ground and punching it wishing it die just made me furious and I wish I could do the same to this idiot . I can't believe there are people like that here , I've never seen that kind of evil until now and I am born and raised here . Sorry for the rant .

  • Flipper - 9 years ago

    1.) Is it true that the Humane Society will not "come" to Guam because cock fighting is still a legal form of GAMBLING? 2.) I never knew we had an animal cruelty law much less "laws" like the question states. That being said, I guess we should have more adequate animal cruelty laws but NOT at my expense unless they are enforced. Hmmm, sin tax on cigarettes in effect, and laws regarding authorized public places to smoke for example, 20 feet from a public entrance. How many people have been issued a citation for disobeying these laws and where did the money go from the one or two people who were cited? I know, nobody has ever been cited. Not angry or surprised. And I'm sure almost every police officer or the majority have witnessed the violation of this law and nothing was done about it. Not blaming GPD because they can't be everywhere. The island doesn't have the funding to support the enforcement of this law. No surprise there.

    In response to Islander 2, I have personally "adopted" two pets within the last 2 or 3 years. One from G.A.I.N. and one at Feather's and Fin's who, at the time, was working with G.A.I.N. to have a pet at their store for adoption. I had no problem with the cost associated with my pets at the time of adoption. They were "fixed", had shots and been dewormed. It was well worth the cause and saved me the time to run around to the vet to have these things done. I admit, had they not been ready to go in that respect, I probably would have procrastinated and forgot especially since they are small in door pets. I honestly think G.A.I.N is doing the best they can with the resources available to them. Islander 2, have you ever adopted a pet from G.A.I.N.? Doesn't sound like it. And "pit bull type" dogs are usually not a threat unless they have been trained to be. Same for other dogs I would imagine. I don't recall the dogs that were being abused retaliating or even trying to. I've seen programs that show how the Humane Society tries to help dogs that have been neglected or abused. Even with the best care, some dogs regardless of species, become conditioned to "fight or flee" and unfortunately, due to no fault of the dog, if it is not deemed safe to place them in a new home they will be put down. So, give G.A.I.N. a break. These folks work for free and the adoption "fees" go to help them stay open. If you cannot adopt a pet the maybe donate some pet food or just about anything you think they could use such as paper towels, cleaning supplies for the kennels, or call them and find out what they are in need of so you can make sure your donation is going to good use. They will be happy with just about anything you can think of. And G.A.I.N. is not content with receiving strays all the time. It is probably a thankless task for the most part. What do YOU think they are tasked with when pets are not adopted in a timely manner? They don't just vanish…right? I think you should also pay more attention to their marketing strategies. I've never asked but I would like to think the local media assists the best they can. Pets are shown in print both inside the bases and out in the public sector. Oh, there are also a handful of pets advertised in print but they are usually in the hundred's of dollar's price range. Pssst….look in the classified ads under PETS.

    You did leave someone out and that is Animal Control. Hmmm, isn't that a government agency? Just curious. I do know in my village, the mayor does her due diligence to at least have letters put out to residents advising them of their responsibility as pet owners to keep them secured. So, that being said, who do you blame when someone is bitten by a stray? Sooner or later it's gonna happen. Do we call G.A.I.N.? They mayor, The legislature, Gov. Calvo? I have to admit Islander 2, you have me stumped when I think of that one. Hmmm…you got me thinking about what to do next time I have strays in my drive way.

  • Islander 2 - 9 years ago

    Oh wait ! I forgot Gov Guam is broke ! Just forget what I said earlier because that would never materialize . Thanx Gov Guam !

  • Islander 2 - 9 years ago

    We need enforcement officers /animal police service unit staff of 10-12 officers would be sufficient for our island to help round up all those who treat animals in an inhumane way . G.A.I.N is useless without enforcement , it's just a perpetual revolving door of strays , abused and neglected animals that enter that compound. G.A.I.N also needs to change their adoption strategy , they seem to be content to just exist to take in strays and not really promote the adoption of these poor stray animals in their care. They need to be more aggressive and advertise this option to adopt instead of to purchase , they also should have a Veterinarian to spay or neuter these animals as soon as it arrives so if the animals were the get stolen those animals cannot be used for breeding , especially the pitbull type dogs. More action needs to be done and any animal cruelty laws should be enforced proactively.

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