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.
Based on the reported story, I am disgusted that the police “advised” the victim of this assault that this is a civil matter. Balderdash. The Grenada criminal code covers battery, which this clearly is. The dog owners appear to have been in breach of local law regarding control of animals, so they should face prosecution on two fronts.
Whether these people are business people or not, or whether they invest in a local business or not is irrelevant. They – note multiple persons – laid their hands on this man – note one man, and elderly and clearly not well-built – and are therefore culpable.
RGPF, wake up, read your law documents and do what you are paid to do. UPHOLD THE LAW OF THE LAND.
This is not a Black Lives Matter issue, it is an insult to Black Lives Matter. The driver was warned that there was a dog beside his vehicle and he could have stopped. Why didn’t he slow down and take some care not to run over and kill the dog? Because he did not care, that’s why and he thought he would get away with it, that’s why. But the dog’s own saw everything and wanted the driver to wait while he called the police. The driver then attempted to drive off. Anyone in that dog owners situation would have punched that driver in the face. Anyone. And now the driver is pretending that he has lost the ability to talk! – Its a joke!
Making this issue about race is just causing more trouble to cover up wrong doing. How can genuine people campaign for equal rights and justice when others give the community a bad name because they do not know right from wrong.
You are nothing but a big full. Real stupid statement, the dog owner should be walking around with one hand by now. Wake up Grenadian.
Extend the hand of friendship Mr Ash..
If this story had been about two caucasians or two dark men it would not have reached the news. – A man carelessly runs over another man’s dogs and attempts to drive out. He gets a smack in the face. This is not news, it has only been made so by a certain disgruntled side.. We need to wake up, stop this hatred of innocent human beings. No one is their history. Extend the hand of friendship Mr. Ash. The stray dogs are of all colours and just look how well they all get on!
You’re saying it’s ok for foreigners to go into the island and just flex their criminal muscles? The dog was killed accidentally. . It Should have been treated as what it was and dealt with accordingly. At no time is it ok to treat a human being in that way. One has to be morally bankrupt to condone or defend that family’s behaviour.
The government and police have to realise that black people no matter where they live are not putting up with any injustice now. It’s a big switch now so deal with the situation fairly and appropriately and not to being swayed by colour and financial status. Justice and fairness for everybody.
Our next queen gonna be de radiant Camilla Parker Bowles. She gonna sort dis out. No more racism when she cracks de whip forshure.
Looking forward to seeing her sublime beauty on our bank notes.
The Grenadian community need to put a stop to this before they think they can take over people’s country. They have the same habit towards black people no matter where they are. They are out of order and make sure that justice is done. It can’t be one rule for one and one rule for another. I am very angry to hear about this. The poor hardworking man was just going about is business. The government need to make sure that no matter how much wealth or business interest a person has it doesn’t exclude them from being charged if they commit assault on any other type of crime because people don’t put up wit rubbish again. Deal with this criminal offence appropriately. Thank you
It looks like Grenada is still in the death grips of Slavery, a foreign white family drags a Grenadian born Black man from his car and beats him for a minor traffic incident. The victim sustained injuries and called the police to uphold the law and the Royal Grenada Police Officers just walk away saying there was no crime committed???? Either the Police officer(s) need to re-attend the police academy or they still think they are slaves on the plantation. Either way, this is bad and needs swift resolution.
No one has the right to physically assault someone. Now if he was beaten for doing something considered wrong then that is where it becomes a racist act. This is not the type of behaviour that should transpire particularly if it is clear the death of the dog is considered as an accident. Other then living in a gated community they should still be under tge jurisdiction of the courts of Greneda. A physical assault is GBH and that is a criminal offence whoever you are and where ever you are. If the force used is disproportionate to the alleged crime then it is attempted murder. This needs to be dealt with appropriately by the authorities.
As police officers some of you need to do more reading and empower one selves with the knowledge to enable you to carry out in the execution of your duties
As a Grenadian I am appalled by some of the comments posted here, by some of our citizens both domestic and a-broad . some of the comments are very displeasing and very much racist and shows a lac of intellect by the individuals. we have come a long way in the world of education but I must also apologize for some of the comments here made by our people. As one person commented earlier in one segment of this post , growing up in Grenada animals in most poor neighborhood was never a priority , they were never taken care of properly or even treated as a pet or a member of the family. Before we all jump to conclusion in the name calling and all of the racist statement , along with playing the black and white stereotype games , we should give peace a chance . we also have to understand exactly what happened which in my opinion does not seem to be clear in anyone of the statements or comments. we are a very loving people and country as a hole and I would hope that the ignorance of a few people does not signify the mentally of the entire country. with the spread of social media, which can be a good thing ,but can also serve as a means or ways to spread hatred . As a people we must respect the love and care that some people may display towards animals , especially foreigners , with that being said this love by no means should be put above a human life . The young man that was violated should seek monetary damages for his bodily injuries and medical bills , the offender should also issue a public apology ,which should be satisfactory for us to move on, he should probably also be arrested for the assault , because this type of behavior whether BLACK or WHITE should never be tolerated in any society . In my ending lets continue to be the loving and empathetic people that I know we are , we are an accepting society and people ,that is the very essence of what makes us who we are ,that’s one of the reasons we stand out from the rest of the Caribbean islands .
A. Matthew, did you really say “probably be arrested”. That’s why Black people in this world cannot get justice….we continue to excuse the actions of people who are not of color. Each person involved in that assault should be ARRESTED and CHARGED accordingly. Wealthy families tend to do what they want to people who are economically disadvantaged because they can throw money around to pay people off. Yes, there should also be monetary compensation, but they should be definitely arrested and charged. It doesn’t matter whether this happened in Grenada or any other country in this world, no one deserves to be treated like that. And please stop that rhetoric about the differences in treatment of animals in different countries. Do you really believe that was the reason this man was beaten? Do you think if a White tourist had hit this dog, the family would have reacted the same?
An apology is definitely not sufficient in this case. There needs to precedence set in cases such as this. In fact, throughout the Caribbean islands, Blacks need to stop holding Whites above other Blacks. I am so sick and tired of the unfair, unequal treatment that we are willing to render on our own people, and give White oppressors the benefit of the doubt. Justice for Mr. Smith!
Hi Jackie, thanks for taking the time out to read my post , it was most appreciated , your response to my statement shows the very essence as to what I am trying to speak off. Grenada is a very beautiful country along with some of our people, I say some because comments likes yours which clearly represents the ignorance in some of our people’s mentally towards foreigners and people of different a different color. In my opinion this isn’t a black or white issue ,so clearly your are being a very prejudice by speaking of it from that angle. I understand that you have taken concern by me using maybe to describe a paragraph in my post , for some reason you decided to use that work to take the entire post out of context . there was many good point stated in my post , which if you were not that close minded would have also commented on the good and not on the one work that triggered your hatred . you are really part of the problem instead of helping to find peace you strive for haltered ,this is not what our country needs at this point
But let us make sure no in our Grenada!!!!!! Who do they think they are – let them know we are not the minority in Grenada!!!