Dear Editor,
Fresh meat is scares on Saba. Some people make an effort to alleviate this by importing a bull, feed him properly, then slaughter him and sell the meat to friends and family. Raising a bull on Saba takes a lot work as the owner has to collect grass, transport it to the bull, ensure that he has possibilities to get out of the sun, provide water, etc. It is much harder work than the meat factories that one finds in Holland.
In the early days, when a bull arrived in Fort Bay, they walked him up the road to his new living quarters. Today this seems to be too much work. The picture shows a new bull arriving on Saba this week and how he is being transported.
Raising a bull is closely is part of the Saban culture. In many families the kids were given the possibility to raise their own bull. The profit made when the meat was sold would be saved to use later for starting a life of their own. Bulls were treasures and it was important to take good care of them.
These days Dutch laws are applicable on Saba and that includes those laws that specify may not be suffer. It is getting time that the authorities take note of these laws and apply them, certainly when live animals are treated in the way shown below.
New Bull is welcomed on Saba (photo Dave Levenstone)
Name withheld on request
(17)
I will send a complaint to the Dutch Animal Protection about this way of transporting cattle!!!
http://www.livestock-trailer.co.uk. Take some of your money and buy a trailer to transport the cattle in a better way if you feel that is cruel.
You have sit in a chair infront of a desk half your life. Don’t come and tell me how to handle a wild animal. Have you ever been hit/knocked down to the ground by bull !!!!!!!!!!!! .
Exactly and well said.
And so I did. Not knowing whether the responsible people will get a fine but at least hoping that this will not happen ever again.
Dave i find the agriculture station should have some kind of budget for this trailer that the ppl of Saba can use it when they have animals come, instead of putting more expense on the guys that buying the bulls
Within the framework of reanimating agriculture we already had discussions about purchasing a trailer for transporting cattle in an animal-friendly way. When someone discovers a violation of the law, he or she is legally obliged to report this.
If there were already discussions on acquiring such equipment, where is it? One would have to believe that someone dropped the ball on your end?
“New Bull is welcomed on Saba”. What a nice welcome, guess the bull was overwhelmed by so much friendliness and will tell all the other bulls in the world to come to Saba for a real bully vacation
I do not agree with the method of transport at all, it should have been walked up.. That would have been a good article in the news.. “Saba Bull transported in a historic way.”
I’m upset by this,
Within the framework of the historical background of the island, this bull should have surfed in on two long boats to ladder bay, should have been “guided” off the boats in rough seas and those involved should of received some mighty kicks and bruises for their troubles.
In turn I’m sure said bull would have been beaten up the ladder bay steps in close succession of the Queen’s piano to the Customs House.
However if we bring it to modern day values… The bull came from Statia, did not pass through sxm, is it true that import tax had to be paid? If so that’s a complete and illegal collection of finances.
Yes! A communal trailer would be great, unfortunately we may be a couple of hundred dollars short of it… because some jack ass personally decided someone should have been fined instead. Well it’ll only swell their ego and somebody else’s coffers (like that ego needs an injection of more arrogance).
Smoke & mirrors.
I love animals, but I find people are much more important.
“Fresh meat is scares on Saba”.
Is the first line of the “news” article that spawned this unholy blog.
“Name withheld”. Really, take pride in undermining the community you fail to exist within.
With all your imaginary qualifications and titles you can’t spell :”scarce”?.
Hoist by one’s own petard.
Make sure you turn all the lights out before you leave, don’t leave open containers or food on the counters, energy and infection is at a premium. I think you’re done now, move along, nothing to see.
A crate you say; I agree so cruel, think of the strain on this animals joints, and back. (what living creature would feel comfortable)? Ask yourself, okay, a few days to recover hmmm. Although a dangerous creature when handled incorrectly, maybe suspended in a net so as not to stress the animal as well injure it. Animal rights campaign member.
We’re on a small island, should a 400+ pound animal wish to gore someone badly at our port, (Gore as in puncture wounds that would reveal to the world a human being’s innards) they would have to be flown from the island by helicopter (weather permitting) for life saving treatment, although I can appreciate your empathy with the bovine, you do not truly understand the circumstances, event or location.