Potcakes: Dog Ownership in New Providence, the Bahamas

Although The Bahamas is not alone, either in the Caribbean, or elsewhere in having a pet over-population problem, this publication appears to be the first to provide a systematic study of dog ownership in a Caribbean society. The dog population in The Bahamas consists mainly of mongrels called "potcakes"– a term unique to the greater Bahama archipelago. The fact that Bahamians have lived with potcakes so long has given them an accepted place in society, and they are considered part of the country's heritage. The word "potcake" has entered common usage and has evolved to have associations beyond that with dogs. The Bahamian perceptions of "pet" and "responsible pet ownership" are discussed to allow surveys of perceptions of residents towards dogs and attitudes towards the sterilization of pets to be understood in context. Dog bite data is examined over the last decade and considered in the light of the ever-increasing number of "image" dogs such as rottweilers, German shepherds, and pit bulls which are seen at veterinary clinics and interact with the potcake population. The final chapter draws the threads together from previous sections to show how all members of society, dog owners, non-dog owners, and the authorities, need to work together in order for the dog population to be controlled and dog welfare enhanced.

William Fielding has been studying the dog population in New Providence since 1998. He has written reports on dogs for the Department of Agriculture, Nassau; the Pan American Health Organization; and Humane Society International, Washington; as well as writing research papers and giving presentations about these studies.

Jane Mather was a founding member and a past President of Animals Require Kindness. She has been active in animal welfare since 1990 and continues to rescue roaming animals and campaign for improved animal welfare in The Bahamas.

Maurice Isaacs is responsible for the Government's Animal Control Unit and is a veterinarian in the Department of Agriculture, Nassau. He was formerly the Chairman of the Department of Agriculture's Stray Dog Committee.