The owner of the pit bulls that viciously attacked 54- year- old Patrick Gordon, of 610 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and caused severe injuries to his face and body, was placed on $ 40,000 bail by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry when he made an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court One Monday.
He was charged with suffering ferocious dogs to be at large.
Quacy Bharrat, 34, of 658 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on August 23 at East Ruimveldt, being the owner of ferocious dogs, he suffered them to be at large and unmuzzled, causing injuries to Gordon.
Police prosecutor Lionel Harvey told the court that on the day in question, at around 03: 00hrs, Gordon was going home when the animals attacked him. He said that Gordon suffered severe injuries to his face, head, neck, ears, and hand.
Harvey related that after the incident, a report was made, which led to an investigation.
He said that the investigation revealed that after the vicious attack by the pit bulls, the animals were taken into the kennel by the owner.
It was reported that Gordon was unable to speak clearly and was hospitalised for a number of days.
Gordon later told media operatives that he was reduced to a helpless, screaming victim while the animals kept attacking him. He was rescued by residents of the neighbourhood.
The injured man said that the animals were powerful, and the second dog had to be restrained by several persons. Gordon was promised compensation by the owner, but it never materialised.
In Guyana, the Dog Act remains outdated, and many have called for its amendment, making way for harsher penalties.
Under this law, the owners of animals involved in an attack on people can be fined, or made to serve a short jail term, if found guilty of negligence.
In 2008, Magistrate Oneidge Walrond- Allicock had passed an order to destroy a pit bull involved in a ferocious attack on a miner.
The owner was fined $ 15,000 or alternatively required to serve six months’ imprisonment.
The pit bulls’ owner was also warned that a fine would be levied for each day that the animal was kept alive after it had been ordered destroyed.
Meanwhile, Bharrat has been placed on bail and was requested to return to court on November 8 for the continuation of the matter.
