by Linda Straker
- Evan Smith unknowingly hit a dog and was physically assaulted by animal’s owner and family
- Police informed Smith that matter needs to be pursued civilly or privately
- Family believed to be investors in a business at one of the island’s marinas
- Some protesters called for immediate justice
Hundreds of Grenadians braved Saturday afternoon’s inclement weather to protest for immediate justice for a Grenadian man who suffered physical injuries following an altercation with a family in the upscale residential neighbourhood of Fort Jeudy, over the accidental killing of a dog.
Evan Smith, who was dropping off construction workers on Thursday, 25 June 2020 unknowingly hit a dog with his vehicle. The animal succumbed to its injuries. Owner of the dog, a Caucasian businessman, approached Smith and informed him of the dog and at the same requested Smith not leave the scene.
An altercation followed in which 4 members of the family who owned the dog physically assaulted Smith in the presence of witnesses. The police were called to the scene, and Smith’s family claimed that despite receiving a medical form from the police at the scene of the crime, they were informed that the matter needs to be pursued civilly or privately, and not criminally.
The news which aired on two main television stations’ Friday evening newscasts, immediately became the topic of discussion and was referred to as white foreigners having rights and privileges not afforded to nationals. The dog owner’s family name has not yet been made public by the police, but they are believed to be investors in a business at one of the island’s marinas.
Saturday’s protest was mobilised using social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. After the news started spreading about the protest, a statement from the Community Relations Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) called for calm.
“Acting Commissioner of Police, Edvin Martin, has ordered an investigation into an alleged altercation that occurred at Fort Jeudy, St George. Progress on the status of the matter will be made public in an upcoming Press Brief scheduled for Monday, 29 June 2020.” The release said, “While the police recognises the people’s right to assemble, the Royal Grenada Police Force is appealing to the general public to be calm as investigation continues in the matter.”
It is normal for the police to provide anyone who has been in an altercation and needs to seek medical attention, a special form to be signed by a doctor which will state the nature of the injury. The nature of the injury will determine the type of charge to be laid on the accused.
While some protesters adorned themselves with placards demanding justice for Mr Smith, the peaceful protest had others calling for immediate justice. “We want justice and we want it now,” they chanted as they walked to the scene of the crime.
In Grenada, Section 12 of the Dogs Registration and Control Act says that an owner or person in charge of a dog must not:
(a) Permit that dog to be –
(i) in any public place unless it is kept under proper control;
(ii) in or on any premises without the consent of the owner or occupier of those premises; or
(b) Permit that dog to enter, bring the dog into or allow the dog to remain in, any restaurant or any place where food is sold for public consumption, other than a guide dog for the blind.
(2) Where a dog defecates on a beach or in a public place the person in charge of the dog must forthwith remove the faeces and dispose of it, enclosed in plastic or paper or other suitable material, in a container intended for waste material.
(3) A person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $1,000.
The guy is Irish and his wife English. Jenny has a case of mistaken identity.
It was witnessed that some UNNAMED dog owners assaulted Mr. Smith for running over an uncontrolled animal loose in the streets.
The dog owners MUST be arrested and charged with ASSAULT!
What kind of justice system does Grenada employ that common assault goes unpunished?
You’re in a black country!! They have no right to come to a black country and block the beaches and treat Grenadians this way. Don’t take our kindness for weakness! Alluh wrong for dat! Don’t come destroy and mistreat us or our country! Stay in your own country, we are a peaceful country. You should have your dog on a leash. You shouldn’t be extra and take things upon yourself. Justice needs to be served.
Who mon???
Well well well. Who gave that Australian the right to physically touch the driver on any one in particular? Grenadian stand up for your own at all times. Send him back!!! No man,woman or anyone else has to right to lay hands on another person.
Stay strong my peeps and fight the fight
This family is in the wrong! It is your responsibility to keep your dog/pet safe in your home or yard. Allowing your dog to run in the road is a high risk of it being hurt or killed! They should be charged with assault, imprisoned & also pay for the his care due to the assault & work compensation.
Grenada needs to stop allowing these white foreigners to take advantage with tax free privileges, low paying jobs, at times illegally working on the island & then disrespecting our nation. We need to preserve Grenada for Grenadians!
Right here in the Caribbean, black lives don’t matter? Where is the Royal Grenada Police Force in this matter? If the Police don’t bring charges against the family then the man should get a lawyer and sue the AG, the Police and the family.
Because this is black vs white its a problem. If it was black vs black or white vs white, this would not be in the news.
Anyone smart should realize its the victim agaisnt the lazy POLICE. Thats the real article.
Bringing race into it is pathetic.
I know what color or class u belong to hence you can leave this comment..point is there is classism in the country which needs to be addressed..the people need to demand a fair system..the only reason why they felt they could assault this man is because they know their status would protect them..justice or else the ppl will get their justice their own way..GRENADA BELONGS TO GRENADIANS..we welcome u here but don’t ever thing u above us because u are financially better off
The tourists won this one by an innings and 10 wickets. And won the punch up too. That’s life. Get over it.
Don’t turn this into a black-white conflict please. Irrespective of what caused that to happen, under no circumstances a citizen whether black or white must resort to violence to resolve a dispute. There is law and there is a law enforcement. Disputes similar to this happen. That’s a fact of life. Such disputes occur by the way between black families, white families and a mix of both. If the investors committed the assault based on race, the law will deal also with that. I don’t know for sure but I think It’s merely a dispute that escalated and now it’s being painted with different a different brush.