TCI News
TCI: You need a cutlass, not a stick to walk in Leeward
#Providenciales, January 25, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – In desperation, a man kicks and strikes and eventually chops a pack of vicious dogs with a cutlass in order to save a female walker and her pet from being mauled to death in Leeward, Providenciales.
The unprovoked attack happened on Tuesday and violently unfolded as his toddler looked on in terror from his vehicle.
The man, who pulled over in order to stop the frightening assault has asked Magnetic Media to expose the situation in the hope of something being done to remedy the dangerous reality for residents of the residential community which flanks the #worldsnumberonebeach; Grace Bay.
Within minutes, we learned that this attack by dogs was a normal problem for the area, and has forced those wanting to keep fit, out their community to safer spots to walk and jog.
The canine gang of collared and stray dogs, including the often outlawed pitbull, has been ruling the streets – uninterrupted – for over a year. Magnetic Media was informed that the savage pack is as many as 30 owned and ferral dogs.
Last year, in #StLucia, a man was attacked by pitbulls through a fence as he spoke to their lady owner. The dogs bit off a piece of his penis, reports the St Lucia News.
Also in 2018, a 66-year old man in St. Catherine, #Jamaica was bitten all over his body by a pack of four dogs – pitbulls and rottweilers. The Jamaica Observer said, the savage canines even tore off both the old man’s ears. The man died due to severe blood loss when a bite punctured an artery.
A tourist to Harbour Island in The #Bahamas posted being attacked by ‘potcake’ dogs while out jogging; there were scratches and bruises and the dogs stopped once summoned by their owner.
All of these cases were from last year.
A 2004 study by a student of the now, University of The Bahamas is the most recent document we could find online to capture the problem of vicious dog attacks in the #Caribbean region.
W.J. Fielding wrote: “Thirty-two participants from eight territories on 12 islands, representing 15 animal welfare 
groups completed forms. The territories (and islands) were: Anguilla, Antigua, The Bahamas (Grand Bahama, New Providence), Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico, Vieques, Dutch St. Maarten, St. Lucia, US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas), The Turks and Caicos (Providenciales).
In 2004, these countries reported that seven people had died due to dog attacks. Most involved breeds which are on the world’s deadliest dogs list: pitbulls and rottweilers. The most deadly dog is the Chinese chow-chow, according to many lists.
The little dog trying to protect its owner in Leeward Tuesday was very badly injured by the monster dogs which only relented due to the cutlass chops. The young man explained he was trying not hurt the pack, but the savagery of the situation forced his hand. He said, the woman scooped up her pet and ran off yelling ‘thank you’ to the man.
We concur, because here was a person ready to risk his safety and acted heroically to save lives.
#MagneticMediaNews
#womanattackedbydogsinleeward
#manrescueswomanfromdogattack
#straydogsinleeward
TCIG knew from April that fuel factor could surge almost 80%; Minister says $500 cost-of-living payment was part of Government’s response
PROVIDENCIALES — The Turks and Caicos Government knew months before July’s shocking electricity bills that consumers faced a potentially massive increase in the fuel factor.
Minister of Information Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders revealed Friday that Pelican Energy warned his Ministry in April that generation fuel costs were projected to rise from $3.09 per gallon in May to $4.79 in June and July.
That translated into a projected fuel factor jump from about 17.5 cents to 31 cents per kilowatt-hour — an increase of almost 80%.
Saunders said he personally advised Cabinet of the projected increase and presented options for cushioning the impact.
He characterised Government’s $500 cost-of-living payment as its “initial response” to rising fuel costs, before a separate fuel-factor subsidy was approved.
Cabinet records show Government agreed on June 24 to provide funding to mitigate the fuel-factor impact, with the relief programme approved July 8.
Eligible residential customers — those averaging less than $1,500 monthly over the previous three bills — are capped at 22 cents per kWh from July through October.
Pelican confirmed Friday that Government’s contribution was already applied to July bills, meaning the bills now triggering widespread public outrage would have been even higher without the subsidy.
Saunders did not disclose the programme’s total cost.
His admission that Government knew since April, however, raises another question amid the backlash: why were consumers not directly warned by Government about the scale of the approaching increase?
PROVIDENCIALES — New commercial Crown Land applications are facing a six-month pause as the Turks and Caicos Islands Government takes inventory of its holdings.
During Cabinet meetings held July 15 and 16, an immediate six-month moratorium was approved on the acceptance, processing
and approval of new applications for commercial Crown Land grants, leases and allocations.
The pause will remain in place pending completion of the Crown Land Inventory Review. Cabinet’s summary did not state what prompted the review or indicate whether availability of commercial Crown Land is a concern.
The two-day meeting also advanced major consumer legislation. Cabinet approved the National Fair Competition Policy 2026 and drafting instructions for a Fair Competition Ordinance, moving TCI toward stronger consumer protection and fair competition rules.
In Grand Turk, Cabinet approved rezoning land in the North West Suburbs from low-density to medium-density residential use to facilitate a new apartment development.
Cabinet also advanced fisheries reforms, water legislation allowing private and public-private investment, minerals legislation and appointments across tourism, health and finance.
Progress toward establishing a TCI Credit Union was also noted.
PROVIDENCIALES — Major development projects outside Providenciales received Cabinet attention on July 8, with Government approving agreements connected to the redevelopment of Dellis Cay and a resort development in North Caicos.
Cabinet approved a Development Agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, Desarrollos Hotelco DC Ltd. and
Desarrollos Hotelco Astoria Ltd. for the redevelopment of Dellis Cay.
The long-discussed private island development sits between Providenciales and North Caicos and its return to Cabinet signals another step toward redevelopment.
Cabinet also approved amendments to an agreement involving SPR LND Ltd. (Royal Reef) and TCIG Development Agreement for a resort/hotel development in North Caicos.
Other decisions included approval of the First Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2026 for onward transmission and the appointment of Cindy Ewing as Chair of the Invest TCI Board, effective August 1 for three years.
Cabinet also noted consultation outcomes concerning changes to business licensing, approved professional membership expenses for qualifying Telecommunications Commission staff and approved advice relating to the Interim Clinical and Estates Services PPP.
The July 8 meeting was chaired by Acting Governor Anya Williams.
Photo Credit: Royal Reef (Keith)
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