The Society for the Promotion of Animal Rescue and Kindness, based in Belize City, is outraged by the brutal attack on the horse seen in the viral video. They’ve noticed a troubling increase in animal abuse reports in the Old Capital and have been fighting against this cruelty for a while. This latest incident has them questioning the state of our society.
Michelle Rudon
Michelle Rudon, President, SPARK
“It started from last week with the other situation with the little brown horse. This is something very heartbreaking for us, because we have been fighting it for so long. We have been fighting trying to bring about change and help for these animals. Seeing that video is something I will never get out of my head. WE should not have come to this. Something should have been done before to help these animals. You are barely getting over that one and then there is three four more cases, like what is happening to our society, where are we headed? What is brining about these horrific cases of abuse.”
Georgia Luis
Georgia Luis, Volunteer, SPARK
“When I initially saw the horse, the first one, the little brown horse, I was in shock and I could not believe that us as humans could experience this kind of behavior and as Michelle said, three more animals after that and the one yesterday with the cutting of the animal is just the worst and it ahs to be at some point stop somewhere and just with the media a lot of people are coming out and that is what we need.”
Halima Santos, the financial officer at SPARK, questioned the effectiveness of the current animal abuse laws. She pointed out that the fine for the horrific abuse seen in the video is only a measly one hundred dollars.
Halima Santos
Halima Santos, Financial Advisor, SPARK
“There is a law in place for animal cruelty that talks about animal cruelty and abuse, it is not being used or even put into action, but I think it needs to because at this moment it is not just the horses being abused, it is animals, dogs and animals across the board. We need to go back to the table and make revision of these laws to include imprisonment, especially those who are often doing this sort of cruelty to animals. We want to spread awareness that there is a law for animals being abused. We want to spread awareness to help a voiceless animal who is in dire need. I would like to add on the support of the police department, because yes it is just an animal to them, but they too need help, they too are being abused. We don’t want that when we call the police department they don’t move because it is not a person. It is not an huma being, but it is an act of a crime. So we need the support of the police department to act on these kind of things and give assurance because yes you have done a crime and something will come out of it and another case comes up another day and put aside.”
We spoke with Commissioner of Police Chester Williams about the hundred-dollar fine, which is the maximum penalty for animal abuse. We also addressed the criticism that the police don’t take animal abuse reports seriously. Here’s what he had to say.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Unfortunately it is a misdemeanor so it does not carry a stiff penalty so these are things we have to look at to see how we can transform the law. The laws we have in place for these kinds of acts are antiquated. They have been in place post independence. Times have changed so there is a need to look at those laws to see how we can strengthen it to serve as a deterrent to those who may wish to continue those types of activities.”
Paul Lopez
“My understanding is that the fine is somewhere around one hundred dollars. Is that your understanding?”
Chester Williams
“Somewhere around there yes.”
Paul Lopez
“The criticism is that whenever police is called to reports of animals abuse where horses are concerned, and animal abuse in general, they don’t take these reports seriously.”
Chester Williams
“The thing is we try to do as best as we can. There are instances where we require the support of the owners and we don’t get that support. While the penalties for the offense, which is cruelty to animals, may carry a small fine, we are also looking abatement to commit cruelty to animal. The abetment will take the penalty more severe. So we are hoping to go that route to send a stronger signal to those young men and to others who may have in mind to carry out such acts.”
The Belize Police Department is also looking into another horse-related incident. Joshua Trapp, a forty-four-year-old tour guide from Ladyville, reported that fifteen of his horses went missing from his ranch on Wednesday. He managed to find eight of them, and searches continued throughout the day for the remaining seven. There were rumors that the injured horse in Belize City might be one of Trapp’s stolen horses. However, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and Oney’s owner have confirmed that this is not true.
Reporter
“We know that police are also investigating the other horse incident with Mr. Trapp. He believes that the horse that was chopped is one of his that was stolen long ago.”
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“No, we have confirmed this horse belongs to a person who lives in the Fabers Road area. We have contacted that person. I am happy to see that BAHA came in and provide treatment to the horse. I saw a video footages on social media where it depicts the horses were already being eaten by these dead flies and I am hoping they can continue the treatment until they make a full recovery.”
Paul Lopez
“Just for clarity, you see the reports, this have nothing to do with the fifteen weh gone missing?”
Devonte Broaster
Devonte Broaster, Horse Owner
“No boss, this is nothing to do with the fifteen.”
After a nine-day investigation, police have arrested and charged Duane Wite for the murder of twenty-year-old Coby Ledlon. On March thirty-first, Ledlon was socializing on Iguana Street in Belize City when a gunman approached and shot him twice, including once in the head. At the time, police were holding a media briefing in southside Belize City and quickly responded to the scene. Ledlon was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in critical condition but sadly died the next day. He appeared in court today, where he was charged with murder. No plea was taken, and bail was denied due to the severity of the crime. He will remain in custody until his next court hearing on June thirtieth, 2025. Tonight, Wite, a twenty-year-old construction worker, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison for the murder.
The public feud between ComPol Williams and his brother, Arthur Roy Williams, also known as ‘Uncle,’ is now water under the bridge as the brothers made amends earlier today. As a result, the charges against Arthur were dropped by prosecutor Alifah Elrington this afternoon in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. Both brothers were present in court when Elrington, the Head of Prosecution Branch, informed the Senior Magistrate that the crown is withdrawing all four counts against Arthur Roy Williams. This decision came after the siblings reconciled and agreed to move forward. ‘I love my brother,’ said ComPol Williams. ‘Uncle’ promised the outgoing Commissioner of Police that he would no longer post anything negative or defamatory about him, leading to the charges being withdrawn.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Basically, Arthur Roy is my brother, we came from the same woman. Yes, there have been misunderstandings in the past with issue, but I believe that as a family we should always be able to work out our issues. And so, him and I spoke about the issue and we decided that it is best that we end it this way, as opposed to going through a court process.”
Reporter
“This is what they refer to as criminal mediation?”
Chester Williams
“No. No. There was no mediation done by the court. Myself and my brother, we discussed the issue and we came to our own agreement that it is best that we put it behind us and move on. Of course, I love my brother and I will always be there to support him. He has been there for me as a child when I was growing up. We have been very close in the past and I think that we can get back to where we used to be.”
Reporter
“So, Mr. Roy, what would you like to say today?”
Arthur Roy Williams
Arthur Roy Williams
“It is what it is bang bye.”
Back on February 7, 2024, Arthur Roy Williams, a fifty-three-year-old driver for the Ombudsman and a resident of Dangriga, was initially arraigned on three criminal offenses, including two counts of using a computer system to disseminate false statements with the intent to cause public ridicule or embarrassment, and one count of using a computer system to intimidate under the Cybercrime Act, to which he pleaded not guilty. Then, about five months later, on July 3, 2024, ‘Uncle’ faced another charge of contempt of judicial order. Allegedly, between April and the end of June 2024, despite being ordered not to post anything about ComPol or the Belize Police Department, he continued to do so on social media.
Earlier this week, we reported that the Belize Coast Guard found a kilo of cocaine on a fisherman in Turneffe. There have been more and more reports of fishermen scouring beaches in that area, looking for wet drops. Today, we asked Commissioner of Police Chester Williams if any charges have been filed against the fisherman and where the drugs might have come from.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I know that a person was in custody and I have to check if that person has been charged.”
Paul Lopez
“Is it a fact that this kilo may have come from a suspected capsized drug boat?”
Chester Williams
“We do know occasionally there would be instances where we have these wet drops. As much as we try to prevent the transshipment of drugs through the country, the maritime domain remain active and when we do have these instances where we have these wet drops it is normally due to these boats capsizing or due to these boats being pursued by law enforcement and in order to lighten the boat they would throw products overboard. So I cannot say if it is a matter of boat capsizing or them trying to evade law enforcement, but we have gotten information that there is a number of drugs floating in the water. The Coast Guard has been very active doing their best to see if they can find these drugs.”
A drug trial in San Ignacio came to an unexpected halt earlier this week when the presiding magistrate recused herself from the case. The trial was related to a November 2021 drug plane landing that resulted in a large drug seizure and the detention of seven alleged traffickers, including the Mexican co-pilot. After years of hearings, the case will now have to start over with a new magistrate. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams explained why the magistrate stepped down and what the next steps are for the case.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The briefing I got from the prosecutor Ms. Elrington, there seems to have been issue in the court room, where she believe that the case was not going as should and that there may be some degree of bias from the magistrate and she made a submission to the magistrate for the magistrate to recuse herself. That submission was accepted and the magistrate recused herself and we just have to look for a new trial.”
And finally, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is just a short time away from stepping into his new role as Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Transport. Today, he’s still in his police uniform but mentioned that the day-to-day operations of the department have already been handed over to incoming Commissioner Doctor Richard Rosado. Here’s what he had to say about the transition period.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Myself and Mr. Rosado are going through a transition period. Certainly yes as a part of that transition period I have assigned most of the day to day responsibility of the commissioner to Mr. Rosado and I am just dealing with those issues I have to deal with as the legally constituted commissioner of police. So, we continue that transition period. The objective of the ministry is to make sure we can have a seamless transition where all the activities currently in motion. We have a number of projects and other things I need to bring Mr. Rosado with and so that when he takes over we can make sure those things continue. I have heard the criticism that this has not been in the past where you have transitions like this, but commissioners normally retire at age fifty-five. So, if you know that you are going to retire you prepare for that and obviously someone is going to understudy you so that when you go off that person will become the commissioner. So it is not a situation where you are the commissioner today and gone tomorrow without having ensuring your successor should have some level of experience in the seat. That is the reason why we are doing this. It is not that I want to stay. I indicated I would have wanted to leave Monday gone, but the transition is important and we are making sure it is done the right way. That is the reason why.”
Almost fifty years ago, Juan Chuc started his own hardware store in San Ignacio Town, calling it Juan Chuc & Sons Hardware. It didn’t take long for the store to become one of the biggest locally owned businesses around, cementing Juan Chuc’s legacy in the Cayo District. In today’s episode of Belize on Reel, we had a chat with Chuc to hear the story of how his business took off and what he thinks about the legacy he’s leaving behind.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
It’s 1977, and Juan Chuc has just opened the doors to his very first business, the aptly named Juan Chuc store. What started as a small grocery quickly took off when Chuc decided to branch out into hardware. Before diving into the world of business, Chuc spent over sixteen years working with heavy-duty construction equipment. It was this expertise that helped him transform his store into the well-known Juan Chuc Hardware.
Juan Chuc
Juan Chuc, Founder, Juan Chuc & Sons Hardware
“Lot of people help me though because I remember when I was selling cement, I couldn’t buy no steel. So an American Jamaican come and live in Santa Elena. He told me I need some steel, man. I tell him I no sell, I only sell cement. He say, how can you buy steel? Why you don’t buy? I tell ah I don’t have no money. He said, how much money you need? I tell him about more or less about ten thousand. He say, I will give you the ten thousand. You buy your steel, you gimme my steel, and then you pay me afterwards. I tell him, really? You will do that? He say, yes. I tell him thank you, and man, gimme the money. So I add one truckload of steel.”
Juan Chuc Hardware quickly became a vital part of the community, helping small businesses with financial opportunities. Eighteen years ago, Chuc’s son commissioned wreath maker Maritza Manzanero, and when Juan saw her beautiful creations, he knew he had to share them with a wider audience.
Maritza Manzanero
Maritza Manzanero, Colleague & Friend
“We started chatting and we became good friends and he asked me where I had gotten the wreath from. So I explained to him that I was working with flowers and I started making them. So he said if I would be interested, we could try and place them in his store and sell them. So I spoke with my daddy for the money and my daddy said, well, what you can do is make it for a price, so that he can earn something like a profit. So, I chatted with him and he said, he was so happy with it. So I brought about eighteen wreaths and about two weeks time, I received a phone call that no wreaths were left in the store.”
Things took an unfortunate turn when Chuc contracted COVID and could no longer manage his store. He handed the business over to his sons, but they struggled to keep it afloat, leading to its closure. Undeterred, Chuc kept his entrepreneurial spirit alive by opening a smaller shop, lovingly named Sandy’s Shop after his wife. Through it all, Chuc says his loyal customers have always stood by him.
Juan Chuc
“They always buy with me and they always tell me to keep going. Because they know that I come from working hard in the field, and they know I never have no money and they know how they admire how I’m working and I work good with the people, they help me and I help them. I treat them good. Sometimes when they come, then they buy, and you know the sun hot deh, I bring wa drink. I tell them, unu have this man, take care. Refresh yourself. And when them feel good.”
Chuc’s store has always been a beacon of opportunity for the community, offering hardware supplies at fair prices. Even today, Chuc is one of the few in the area who sells cement by the pound, making it easier for folks to gradually invest in their home projects. The mayor of San Ignacio, Earl Trapp, often highlights the significant impact Chuc has had on the community.
Earl Trapp
Earl Trapp, Mayor, San Ignacio
“He sells sand by bucket, and, a pvc pipe, the length, he sells it by feet as well.So he makes things affordable for people that only needs three feet of pipe, you don’t wanna buy one length of pipe and then just waste the rest. So when he would make sure that he provides for the needy people. So I think certainly it’s impacted Saint Ignacio Santa Elena and the surrounding villages because, on weekends and even during the week, but especially on weekends, you would see buses park in front of his place and the customers getting their goods by sack and take it into the bus and they would go to the villages. He served the community well.”
While the Juan Chuc store is no longer as big as it once was, the namesake is still well loved.
Maritza Manzanero
“His heart is of gold. Many people have chanced him, I know. And he doesn’t even talk about it. Like he used to have this shop with whatever you needed, like zincs, the roofing things and whatever you need, tiles you would go and he would even give you credit and people like wouldn’t even pay him. And do you think he would be looking for them? He said everything is in God’s hands.”
Chuc says his business is on the rise again, taking him back to the early days of his journey nearly forty-eight years ago. Despite the ups and downs, he’s content with what he’s achieved in his career, even if it’s not quite how everyone remembers it.
Juan Chuc
“It is kinda lee hard, but then like how I was sick to me it is very good for keep moving. I can’t walk, so I keep moving and talk to people, to friends and I feel good with that, because it let’s me to know what is going on out there, because I can’t go there. So I feel very good and my business is growing lee bit by lee bit and. And I don’t want to grow big again, but I just want to survive and have something in my table for eat, so I feel very good.”
