On the heels of the mauling death of six-month-old Maleek Khan by the family’s pet Rottweiler, the Police Service is urging parents to be more vigilant by ensuring the dogs are properly secured. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon while the child was at his home in Charlieville, Chaguanas.
Public Information Officer of the Police Service, ASP Michael Pierre, at a press briefing held at Police Administration building in Port-of-Spain yesterday said it was important for owners to also know the temperament of their dogs.
“One must know the aggression that the dog conveys so we would suggest that you would take all precautionary measures to secure your dog because it limits the movement of persons in the roadway... if your dog is ferocious.
“if your property is fenced make sure the dog cannot jump the fence to go after people walking on the roadway,” Pierre said.
Training, he added, was also essential for dogs especially around children.
“For those who cannot afford training I suggest you get a poodle or get a pup,” Pierre said.
And with the Easter vacation right around the corner Pierre advised parents to do proper research before sending their child to a camp.
“You want to know the facilitators of the camp, you want to know whether in an emergency situation....in terms of health or otherwise if they can respond and you want to know whether the activities the camp would be providing for your children... whether they are suitable and satisfy the values that you would want to have for your children,” Pierre said. He also cautioned hikers not to stray from their group so as to get lost while in the forest.
Regarding the murder investigation of Japanese pannist Asami Nagakiya, Pierre said the matter was still being probed. He said while there was no update the case had not gone cold. Nagakiya, who was found dead at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain on Ash Wednesday, was still clad in her Carnival costume.
Pressed whether any progress was being made or whether suspects were still being questioned Pierre said, “Definitely, but when we have information that we can give to members of the public we would do so.
“In an investigation of that nature it takes a lot of time therefore a lot of persons are interviewed and in that regard we have to wait until evidence is unearthed before we can move forward.”
Also, regarding the murder of prisons officer, Fitzalbert Victor, 32, was shot dead outside his Prizgar Lands home in Laventille two weeks ago, Pierre also offered no update on the case.