Month: April 2025

A viral social media video showing several people brutally attacking a horse with a machete has sparked outrage. The public and animal rights activists quickly called for the arrest of those involved. Thankfully, the injured horse, named Oney, has been found and treated for his injuries. This afternoon, five people were formally arrested and charged with Cattle Theft, Cruelty to Animals, and Abetment to Commit Cruelty to Animals. Among them are twenty-year-old Raheem Herbert, nineteen-year-old Tyreek Straughn, and three minors, who were charged in the presence of their guardians. This shocking incident has led to calls for stricter animal cruelty laws. Recently, fifteen horses belonging to the tour guide Joshua Trapp were stolen from his ranch. While the police have recovered most of the horses, several were found in poor condition. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams explained the charges that can be brought against those who commit animal cruelty and assured the public that these cases are taken very seriously.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

 “Nobody  said yesterday that the penalty was a hundred dollars. Mr. Lopez asked that question and an answer was given, but the public seems have taken it to mean that we were saying that the penalty for the offense is only a hundred dollars, but no, under the law, the offense of the offense of cruelty to animal carries a imprisonment term of six months. And there  is no provision there for a fine. Yes, we know that applying the legal principles that even though a fine is not there, the magistrate at trial if found guilty can still impose a fine or they can go at a custodial sentence depending on how they see the evidence and the different submissions that the different parties may make at that particular juncture. In addition to that, they’re also being charged with abatement to commit cruelty to animal. And under the law section twenty of the criminal code, it states that we are a person that abets to commit a crime if that person is found guilty and the crime, that the abate to commit actually occurred, then the penalty shall be just as if would be similar to the crime that they had abated to commit. So in this case, the abatement is going to carry another, um, six months imprisonment. And then we have cattle theft. Cattle theft is a more serious offense that carries the penalty up to. I think of the three, three to five years imprisonment.  is something that is really outrageous. It’s of shock, the public sense, and the public conscience. And, I think that we must give it great priority again, as has been said by the Humane Society and even the ordinary Belizeean and who witness what happened. They’re saying that we need to do something that is going to send a strong signal. We have many  animals out here that are  owned by people and we must always ensure that we care for these animals and we show empathy towards them”

Today, five youths accused of severely injuring a horse appeared in court. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams led the prosecution and objected to bail, citing the widespread nature of the crime. Despite this, the Magistrate granted bail at two thousand, five hundred dollars each. Williams informed reporters that the youths will face three charges. He also noted that agencies responsible for animal welfare, health, and protection will address issues like malnutrition, which has been a major concern among citizens regarding pet care.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The Police have charged those individuals with three counts, one count of cruelty to an animal, one count of abetment to commit cruelty to an animal, and one count of cattle theft.”

Reporter

“Based on this case, I think people were pointing out from way before the fact that a lot of youth are roaming around the city with these horses that look malnourished. Is that something that authorities would look into, including the police, because you’re the ones who bring the charges and I know that the care of animals factor under the Cruelty to Animals Act.”

Chester Williams

“That is not going to be something the police will be able to look at. It will fall more within the domain of health authorities, perhaps maybe even BAHA and I know that they do have a humane society that operates within Belize. I think they can pull their resources together and see what can be done to address those issues. I know for a fact that while we do have these young people who may move around the city on these horses, I think for the most part they, they do show a great degree of love towards these animals. So perhaps it can just be that they don’t have the means to properly care for them. And I think when we experience those circumstances, then the wider society should see what they can do to assist these young men in caring for the horses. Again, I think that if they have a pet – I would still refer to a horse as a pet – if it is that you can show care and empathy towards an animal, that also assists you in terms of your upbringing.”