I am a resident of Sosua, where I have lived with my family since 2005. I am familiar with local customs and culture, having had a business and home here for the last 5 years. I have full legal residency here.
Yesterday my wife and I were driving down the Lamulata road, passed the New Life school at about 14.15. We were astonished to see a young Haitian lad inside the premises with an adult cat in his hand, which he was swinging around his head windmill style by the base of it's tail, whilst a bunch of his friends looked on with obvious mirth and enjoyment. We observed between four and six such rotations, but there very probably has been many more We stopped the car to remonstrate with this individual, who by this time was holding the naturally terrified animal by the back of its neck and its tail. We were intercepted by a member of staff who later identified himself as Joe though he declined to give his full name even though I introduced myself fully. He was white, about 5 10 and 200 lbs and was wearing the official New Life T shirt and shorts.
He seemed astonished when I told him that animal cruelty and allowing the same is illegal in this country (cockfighting currently excepted) told us to leave the boy alone as this sort of behaviour was simply part of "their culture" and that I was in a private place (so presumably I should not concern myself with what goes on there). At no time did he remonstrate with the boy, who throughout stood smirking and giggling, apparently he works for th organisation. It turns out the cat was a nursing female, but at no time did he tell the lad to release the terrified animal, despite it's obvious suffering being gripped by the back of her neck and the base of her tail.
"
We were later able to speak with the Gloria, the lady lady in charge who did manage to express regret about the incident and promised to "speak with the young man later".
I find it inconcievable that the actions and demonstrated attitudes of junior and senior staff at the New Life School represent Christian values, aims and aspirations, or provide a responsible example to the many young people in their care and charge at this school.
In short to say we were thoroughly disgusted would be a serious understatement.
I will submit a report to the local animal rescue charity, ("Joe" was quick to tell me that your organisation provides premises and facilities to this organisation, I assume this was a sort of subtle pressure to tell me that they wouldn't take the matter up)
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Yesterday my wife and I were driving down the Lamulata road, passed the New Life school at about 14.15. We were astonished to see a young Haitian lad inside the premises with an adult cat in his hand, which he was swinging around his head windmill style by the base of it's tail, whilst a bunch of his friends looked on with obvious mirth and enjoyment. We observed between four and six such rotations, but there very probably has been many more We stopped the car to remonstrate with this individual, who by this time was holding the naturally terrified animal by the back of its neck and its tail. We were intercepted by a member of staff who later identified himself as Joe though he declined to give his full name even though I introduced myself fully. He was white, about 5 10 and 200 lbs and was wearing the official New Life T shirt and shorts.
He seemed astonished when I told him that animal cruelty and allowing the same is illegal in this country (cockfighting currently excepted) told us to leave the boy alone as this sort of behaviour was simply part of "their culture" and that I was in a private place (so presumably I should not concern myself with what goes on there). At no time did he remonstrate with the boy, who throughout stood smirking and giggling, apparently he works for th organisation. It turns out the cat was a nursing female, but at no time did he tell the lad to release the terrified animal, despite it's obvious suffering being gripped by the back of her neck and the base of her tail.
"
We were later able to speak with the Gloria, the lady lady in charge who did manage to express regret about the incident and promised to "speak with the young man later".
I find it inconcievable that the actions and demonstrated attitudes of junior and senior staff at the New Life School represent Christian values, aims and aspirations, or provide a responsible example to the many young people in their care and charge at this school.
In short to say we were thoroughly disgusted would be a serious understatement.
I will submit a report to the local animal rescue charity, ("Joe" was quick to tell me that your organisation provides premises and facilities to this organisation, I assume this was a sort of subtle pressure to tell me that they wouldn't take the matter up)
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