ANIMAL cruelty is a serious issue. In fact, it is a crime in TT. Yet, even with its severity, it is barely reported. Only 33 reports have been made to the police in the last five years – a number that in no way reflects the harsh reality. Just ask any animal-related NGO. Almost weekly, animals are chained outside without food or water, dumped in remote areas or even thrown out of boxes and plastic bags from moving vehicles.

So what’s the reason for this silence? Newsday spoke to activists, the police and the public for this report.

What the law says