GEORGETOWN – Police have arrested a 64-year-old man from Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara, after a disturbing video surfaced online showing a donkey tethered to a moving car.
The incident, which sparked outrage across social media, led to the man’s arrest around 17:00 hours on Monday, November 4, 2025, for cruelty to an animal, in violation of Section 178(1) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:02.
The viral video showed a motor car bearing registration number PJJ 8712 being driven along the La Grange Public Road while a light brown and cream donkey struggled to keep pace, tethered by a rope and forced to walk beside the moving vehicle.
Viewers reacted with shock and anger as the footage spread across platforms, prompting swift action by the authorities. The unbranded male donkey, described as a jack, has since been taken into the care of the La Grange Police Station for safekeeping as the investigation continues.
Police have assured the public that the animal is being properly cared for while officers complete their inquiries. In a statement, the Guyana Police Force condemned all acts of cruelty against animals and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the laws of Guyana.
“We will not tolerate any form of abuse or inhumane treatment toward animals,” the statement said, noting that enforcement will continue wherever such acts are discovered.
As investigations proceed, the case has reignited public debate over the need for stronger penalties and better enforcement of animal welfare laws. For many, the image of the donkey tethered to a moving car serves as a grim reminder that cruelty often thrives in silence, until someone presses record.
