Gales Point Resident Orsel Andrewin could spend two months in jail because her horse bit a neighbour. Andrewin was charged for creating a nuisance and today she was convicted in Magistrate’s Court and ordered to pay $50. It is a bizarre story but one that could have real consequences for Andrewin who told us she isn’t sure she’ll pay the $50 fine. Tonight we have both sides starting with Senior Public Health Inspector Mark Bernard who says that Orsel Andrewin was warned and Orsel disputing that her horse did anything wrong.
Mark Bernard, Sr. Public Health Inspector
“The complaint that the horse had bitten a person already in the village and was threatening and intimidating people so that was the nuisance.”
Orsel Andrewin, Convicted of Creating a Nuisance
“I nuh see how it is a nuisance because we have the horse tied. The horse is a pretty horse and people like to come play with the horse and we told them not to play with the horse.”
Keith Swift,
“But the horse bit this lady.”
Orsel Andrewin,
“Because the lady gaan to touch the horse and as soon as she turned her back then the horse, it look it wanted to play because then it didn’t bite her, it just pinched her because when they play with the horse the horse will want to play back too.”
Mark Bernard,
“We have warned the person from in April and we are in December and she has made no effort to do that and that’s why the matter had to be brought to the court.”
Keith Swift,
“You feel justice was served today?”
Orsel Andrewin,
“No, justice was not served because I don’t own any horse and I am the one who ended up coming to court for the horse. Because when Mr. Bernard went there I told Mr. Bernard my son owns the horse. Mr. Bernard told me that he didn’t care and he would give me a summons. I told him well he will lose but he knows why he brought me to court because when I told him he would lose, he didn’t finally lose because I know the horse is not for me.”
Mark Bernard,
“We have a lot of nuisance pending also in public health and similar action will be contemplated by the department unless the owners cooperate with the Department and try to abate the nuisances.”
Keith Swift,
“So the lesson or message to pet owners is that…”
Mark Bernard,
“If you are the owner of the animal, you are the owner or you are in charge of the animal then you are responsible for the animal’s action. So if you want to have a vicious dog, you make sure that the dog is properly secured. People have raccoons and all kinds of animals as pet, it is your responsibility to make sure your animal does not cause harm to the public.”
Keith Swift,
“Are you going to pay the $50?”
Orsel Andrewin,
“I will think twice about that because I don’t own no horse so I have to think twice. Things are hard to go and find $50 to pay. I don’t even have a job. I am a disabled woman because my ankle right now is swollen, two of my knees and everything. So how will I find $50 to go and pay when my son is trying to help me. I don’t work so my son is minding me. So I have to think twice about that $50 to pay.”
If Orsel Andrewin defaults on the $50 fine, she will spend 2 months in jail.
