TCI News
Horses dropping dead in Grand Turk; Police and Agriculture open investigation
#GrandTurk, Turks and Caicos Islands – August 6, 2020 — The Agriculture Department and TCI Police today announced that they have teamed up to determine what has led to the deaths of horses in Grand Turk and the Department, which falls under the Ministry of Health says these recent equine death reports are new to them.
“From preliminary reports, this is a new occurrence and is not related to any other event involving horses recently in Grand Turk. Several of the horses exhibiting signs of ill health and succumbing are privately owned. We are therefore appealing to all horse owners to confine or enclose their horses particularly in light of the incumbent weather conditions being experienced presently. Do not allow your horse (or animals) to roam in pursuit of food, as they can consume items that can be detrimental and result in fatalities.”
However, other reports indicate this claim by the Agriculture Department to be far from true. The Turks and Caicos Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or TCSPCA informed followers of popular social media talk show host, Robert Hall, that their organization had reported on the peculiar deaths and neglect of horses since May.
“This is a tragic and very upsetting situation. On behalf of the Board of Directors we would like to state the following: Firstly, we have been involved with the Chukka situation since the first week of May when we received alarming videos from Grand Turk residents about the physical condition of the Chukka horses. We contacted Chukka’s representatives on numerous occasions as well as alerting the Department of Agriculture, who has 2 Veterinarians on staff. On June 23rd, 2020, The Department of Agriculture demanded that we cease any further communication with Chukka representatives, as they would be conducting an investigation and would be issuing a report on their findings.
Chukka, which operates a number of tourist adventures, primarily for cruise line passengers is believed to have abandoned the animals once cruises stopped docking in Grand Turk due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On Facebook, Magnetic Media also found images of a couple feeding a small group of horses; the horses appeared to be severely malnourished. The images were posed on June 16, 2020.
Still, the Department of Agriculture pointedly distances itself from the statement by the TCSPA and said it only learned of the deaths on August 1, 2020.
Robert Hall, a former government minister and former Speaker of the House of Assembly posted cell phone video on Facebook; that video has been viewed over 1,800 times.
In his background, a horse is visible and barely able to stand. Eventually, the apparently weakened animal collapses to the ground and wallows in the dirt.
Mr. Hall addressed potential viewers; informing that as many as six horses had already died over two days. It was his belief, the two in his video and photos on that day (August 1) would be added to to the casualties.
It is widely believed that the animals had consumed rat poison.
In the statement, the Department of Agriculture advised: “We are kindly asking the public, to contact the Department of Agriculture (See contact information below) if animals (not only horses) appear to be ill, lying down or dead. Please do not attempt to touch any animal seen in this state. Do refrain from feeding roaming horses at this time as their digestive system are very sensitive to sudden changes in diet.
It must also be noted that there are no confirmed reports that COVID-19 was found or can affect horses,” said the statement.
Officials ruled out that COVID-19 was killing the animals and that intentionally or maliciously harming the horses is a serious crime included in Section 48 of the Animal Health Ordinance 2012.
“Any person who commits an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction for a first offence to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both fine and imprisonment, and, for a subsequent offence to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both fine and imprisonment.”
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
YOUTH, SPORTS, AND CULTURE
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 8th October 2024 – The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture under the leadership of Hon. Rachel Marshall Taylor is pleased to announce the successful evacuation of all Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) students from the Orlando and Tampa area in anticipation of Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm. Protecting the safety and well-being of our
students remains our top priority, and swift action was taken to protect them from potential danger.
A total of six (6) students returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands today and two (2) students will return, tomorrow, Wednesday, October 9, 2024, while four (4) students will remain with family members in other states.
The Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of all Turks and Caicos Islanders, particularly our students, both home and abroad. Special thanks is extended to the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) for their support in this endeavour.
On behalf of the Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick, we extend our thoughts and prayers for the people of Florida and all other nations impacted by Hurricane Milton, hoping for their safety and swift recovery.
***MEDIA RELEASE***
Turks and Caicos, October 08th, 2024 – Marine Branch Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) responded early today (October 8) to a report from the Radar Station regarding a suspicious vessel near Bird Rock, Leeward Settlement, Providenciales. 
At 1:28 a.m., officers aboard the Sea Pursuit intercepted a 34-foot grey Panga fiberglass boat with a 250hp Yamaha engine, transporting THIRTY-TWO (32) illegal migrants—two females and 30 males, suspected to be of Haitian descent.
The illegal migrants were handed over to the Immigration Task Force for processing. Border Force, TCI Regiment, and TCI Customs also participated in the operation.
The RTCIPF can confirm the following statistical data for the year (October 08) thus far:
Number of Interceptions: Fifteen (15)
Number of Males: Nine Hundred and Forty-Seven (947)
Number of Females: One Hundred and Ninety-Five (195)
Total number of Illegal Migrants: One Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Two (1142) Included in the 1142 figure are TWENTY-FOUR CHILDREN.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton said, “The number of people interdicted this year is considerably lower than last year when we detained a total of 4016 illegal migrants at sea. In the previous six months, we have seen an expansion of our radar capabilities, and the collaboration and coordination with the Border Force and the TCI Regiment, together with air and marine assets from the United States and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, has never been better. We will continue to work closely with national and international allies to deter people from making these perilous journeys and target the gangs who facilitate the illegal trade. We build our national capability every month and will do whatever it takes to interdict illegal vessels bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.
Turks and Caicos, October 8, 2024 – Mr Fitz Bailey was officially sworn in as Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos
Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) today, October 7, in a ceremony led by H.E. Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam at Police Headquarters in Providenciales.
His appointment is set for three months to enhance the RTCIPF’s leadership capacity.
Mr Bailey brings extensive experience from his time with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), where he held senior roles in critical areas such as the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), the Intelligence Branch, and the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch. (C-TOC). His accomplishments include reorganizing the JCF’s Crime Reporting and Case Management Policy and establishing a Cold Case Unit.
Mr Bailey holds advanced degrees in Psychology, Criminal Investigation, and National Security and has a background in Accounting. Acting Commissioner Rodney Adams, Assistant Commissioner Kendall Grant, Acting Assistant Commissioner Mat Newton, and HR Consultant Joe Perry were also present at the swearing-in ceremony.
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