A spate of animal abuse incidents recently occurred on Saipan. Photo: Supplied
A spate of animal abuse incidents recently occurred on Saipan following the shooting of four dogs with two succumbing to their injuries and a sea turtle being impaled in separate incidents.
Responding to the dog shootings, Saipan Humane Society executive director Lauren Cabrera urged dog owners to confine their pets to their properties and keep a close eye on them.
Rather than taking matters into their own hands, Cabrera also asked residents who fear any dogs that pose a danger or nuisance to the community to report them to the Saipan Mayor's Dog Control Program.
She reiterated that according tothe Animal Protection Act, it is illegal to mistreat, injure, abandon, or neglect animals.
Representive Edwin Propst, who created animal cruelty laws with Humane Society International, said he was informed "that at least four dogs have been shot in recent days."
"This is absolutely horrific and unacceptable. I've seen the photos and videos of these poor dogs being shot and cannot believe this is happening in our peaceful community.
"If you know who is shooting these poor dogs, please speak up and report it to the police."
A spate of animal abuse incidents recently occurred on Saipan. Photo: Supplied
Meanwhile, a juvenile green sea turtle also recently died of wound inflicted by a speargun off the waters of Smiling Cove Marina.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources Sea Turtle Conservation Program and the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Enforcement Division responded to the incident.
The turtle was then taken to be assessed and treated; however, later died due to the fatal wound.
Endangered Species program manager Carey Demapan is calling on people to come forward with information regarding the incident.
"Sea turtles are protected under local and federal laws. They provide valuable benefits to our ecosystems, most especially our marine environments. If you are interested in learning more about turtles, please contact our office to schedule learning opportunities."
Green sea turtles are protected federally under the Endangered Species Act and local laws; therefore, any harassment or take of sea turtles of any size class is against the law.
According to Demapan, fines and penalties if caught endangering sea turtles can go up to $25,000 per offense and up to six months jail time.
When asked how often reports of this kind are made, Depaman said it rarely occurs, but that human-caused threats such as illegal harvesting, boat strikes, and net entanglement are more common.
