During their presentation at the various Calypso and Soca Monarch Competitions over the years, we have seen performers go all out to please fans and to win the judges’ approval.
From elaborate costumes, fireworks, dancers, elaborate props, and even “live” animals, yes, animals, have been used.
Well, one Caribbean island has taken a stand against the use of animals during its carnival this year.
Performers at Grenada’s August 4 -14 Spicemas will be arrested and charged if found guilty of using animals.
The Ministry of Agriculture in Grenada has cautioned performers against using animals in their performances during the island’s annual carnival celebrations.
According to the Agriculture Ministry, using animals such as snakes, chickens, and dogs in performances is offensive to local, regional, and international veterinary communities.
“For committing the offence, one not only will have to pay the penalty amount but can also be punished with imprisonment. The decisions to this will be made based on the observations, complaints, or any information related to the act provided to the officer in this scenario,” a statement from the Ministry said.
According to the statement, in cases where the police hold the animal, the animal owners will be charged the cost of providing the veterinary care.
The Grenadian authorities warned that harming animals for entertainment is unwise and can be punished under the Cruelty to Animals Act.
This opens the debate about whether other islands will follow Grenada’s lead.
Here in Saint Lucia, pigs, dogs, chickens, snakes, and even a horse have accompanied performers on stage.
The revised animal act of Saint Lucia 3 (1) (a) states;
A person who wantonly and cruelly beats, ill-treats, starves, over-loads, abuses, tortures, infuriates, teases, terrifies, or causes unnecessary mutilation or suffering to any animal; or
(b) otherwise maltreats or causes or procures to be cruelly beaten, ill-treated, starved, over-loaded, abused, tortured or otherwise maltreated an animal; or (c) permits any animal to be infuriated, teased, terrified, or caused any unnecessary suffering; or (d) without any reasonable cause administers or causes any poisonous or injurious drug or substance to be taken by any animal; commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1,000 in respect of each animal mentioned in the charge.
Maybe the time has come for Calypsonians and Soca artistes to stick to singing about animals instead of using them as props.
Remember, “Who let the dogs out,” “Whoa Donkey,” “Chicken and Ram” and “Gallop.”
Then there were those who preferred taking on the names and even the personas of animals like “Roaring Lion,” “Flying Turkey,” and “Lord Zandoli.”
It remains to be seen, what happens as Barbados’ Crop Over and Antigua carnival head into their final lap, as well as with the upcoming Spicemas in Grenada.
Where Ricky T, with a whole sleepy fowl on stage in the dead of night! Lol
Wow. Welcome to the 21st Century. You now need to bring the rest of your medieval animal welfare policies up to date.
You all that for animals rights and I have no beef with that but what about human rights ? Because without human rights there can be no animals rights so please lets go over the human rights laws first and of course we will deal with the animals right there too