According to Dr Krebs, “Many prospective Montserrat visitors will read the ad of MAPS, and the content will override any positive image they might have had about our place.” 

Meanwhile the Government of Montserrat claims that Montserrat’s animals are in good condition and in abundance.  So much so, the country has more meat that it can consume.  In response to these allegations of misrepresentation, MAPS say, “Anyone who questions their description of Montserrat’s animals need only drive across Belham towards Plymouth to see the malnourished cattle, goats, and sheep.”

Krebs alleges that MAPS exaggerated the conditions of Montserrat’s animals in an effort to solicit funds for their free animal clinic in Montserrat, further pointing this out as a case of sabotage to Montserratians’ efforts to improve their image abroad.

In response to these allegations, MAPS claims to be the victim of a letter-writing campaign designed to discredit the good work of the organization and to sabotage the free animal clinic in Montserrat. 

The Society further reports that in May of 2006, MAPS’ veterinarians and veterinary students, from Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine, performed 135 surgeries and provided 279 vaccines to small animals at the clinic. 

They examined 49 sick animals; provided 145 wellness examinations; and, in total, examined 336 small animals.  The field examinations conducted by this same group included 174 goats, 82 sheep, 20 cattle, 16 horses, and 67 pigs.

MAPS agrees that “Dr Krebs correctly refers to the appeal for help for MAPS and the animals of Montserrat by the Michigan Humane Society in its website.  Michigan Humane Society is a major supporter of MAPS and its work.  Unfortunately, Dr. Krebs has attempted to twist the appeal out of context.  The lamentable fact is that the animals of Montserrat do continue to suffer from neglect and a lack of food, water, and veterinary care….  Particularly since the May 20th eruption, the food resources for these livestock are virtually non-existent in those areas.  Homeowners in Isles Bay and Old Towne can testify that many of these livestock have roamed to their properties in desperate search for food.”

Montserrat’s senior Forest Ranger, James “Scriber” Daley, disagrees with the accuracy of the picture painted by MAPS’ description of the condition of the country’s animals. 

“Scriber” is one of the few people on Montserrat with first-hand experience and knowledge of the living and physical condition of animals in Montserrat.  Spending 80 percent of his duty in the field, his details of this situation provide a stark contrast to the grisly impression given by MAPS. 

When asked if he agreed with the description given by MAPS on the condition of Montserrat’s animals, Daley says, “This is not my impression.  The last eruption, May 20, impacted on the exclusion zone only.  Some of the animals moved to other areas where there is feed.  Also, the Ministry of Agriculture Lands, Housing, and the Environment (MALHE) has an excellent program of providing animal feed, from St Vincent, which is provided to animal farmers.  There are no malnourished animals in Montserrat, none whatsoever!  Most animals in the exclusion zone are of average weight.  While, there are some that are over the average weight!”

Montserrat’s Senior Forest Ranger went on to say, “I would like to point out that the MAPS group of volunteer veterinarians and students were in the last week of their visit to Montserrat, which is the same week of the May 20 eruption.  As a result, these individuals were not available to assess, thoroughly, the damage caused.  Prior to their final week, these individuals worked exclusively on dogs and cats, at the clinic in Cavalla Hill located in the northern safe zone.  They did not go into the exclusion zone until their final week, just after the eruption.  Therefore, these individuals did not stay on island long enough to develop an educated and accurate assessment of the impacts of the May 20 eruption.”

Daley also suggested that the total number of animals inspected and treated by the free animal clinic could not possibly establish an accurate representation of the true animal situation in Montserrat.  Additionally, “Scriber” emphasized that malnourished animals usually have low reproductive rates. 

Hence, in a country described by the Ministry of Agriculture as having more meat than its population can consume, MAPS’ description is certainly a stark contrast.

As MAPS put it, it is difficult to understand Krebs’ persistent, mean-spirited opposition to the assistance their clinic has provided to the people and animals of Montserrat.  What, then, is the motivation for the Government’s opposition to MAPS’ description of Montserrat’s animals?

In the midst of their self-proclaimed bewilderment, MAPS stated that they found Krebs insinuation that the Society has set out to destroy the reputation of the island most interesting. 

In an email sent by Krebs to the Caribbean Animal Welfare Association and its worldwide readership, Krebs complained about the “do gooders” who founded MAPS and stated, “In their zeal they did not see the rampant animal cruelty which is tolerated by the local government and by the British Governor.” 

Furthermore, in his email to Dr Fisher of the Michigan Humane Society, Krebs stated, “The visit by vets, from a famous vet school, is a publicity stunt that deflects the attention from the real problems that we have with rampant animal cruelty on this island.  For instance, many Montserratians believe that animal control by shooting strays with shotguns is a cultural birth right of our people.  Dog fighting is tolerated by the Montserrat Government.  In general, animals in Montserrat are treated as lifeless commodities rather than as creatures capable of feeling pain and emotions.”  According to MAPS, “It seems Dr Krebs has done his share to damage our image abroad.”

When questioned about accusations of dog fighting being tolerated by the Montserrat Government, the Permanent Secretary of MALHE, Eugene Skerritt, says, “This is not completely true.  To say that dog fighting is tolerated by Montserrat’s Government is not true.  The word tolerate means one is aware and have not taken any steps to remedy.  Since I have taken position as Permanent Secretary, I have never received a complaint, written or verbal, regarding dog fighting.”

It their statement to Caribbean Net News, MAPS said, “It exists to encourage and foster the proper, human and ethical treatment of animals in Montserrat.  We continue to try to find homes for the stray dogs available for adoption at our shelter...  Contrary to what Dr Krebs stated in his letter, MAPS does not misrepresent the condition of the animals in Montserrat.  Instead, we attempt to draw attention to the ongoing challenges we face and to seek assistance in meeting these demands...”

While conflicting opinions vary on this issue of misrepresenting the image of Montserrat, it’s left to be seen whether visitors to Montserrat will dwindle even further as a result of the shocking condition of animals reported by MAPS.