The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has issued a warning to dog owners that they could find themselves in trouble with the law if their pets attack sea turtles.

This caution comes at a time when the entity has been receiving reports that pets and wild dogs have been attacking sea turtle nesting areas and eating the hatchlings on several beaches across the island.

“This problem is particularly acute in areas where there are high densities of dogs, such as near tourist resorts and fishing villages. Despite the joint efforts of NEPA and a number of non-governmental agencies and concerned citizens, dogs continue to uproot sea turtles’ nests, eat the eggs and hatchlings, maim, and in extreme cases, kill adult sea turtles,” NEPA said in a release on Thursday, November 23.

NEPA stressed that sea turtles are already facing numerous challenges, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change and the addition of dog attacks exacerbates the sea turtle’s chances of survival.

The entity is reminding the public that sea turtles are protected animals under the Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA) 1972, the Keeping of Animals Act 1979, and the Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.

NEPA says individuals can assist in reducing the threats posed to nesting turtles by:

• Ensuring that signs are erected in areas where sea turtles and nesting are common;
• Keeping dogs on a leash when they are near beaches;
• Ensuring that the population is aware of the offences under the WLPA, Cruelty to Animals Act, Keeping of Animals Act;
• Ensuring dogs are not permitted in the vicinity of areas where sea turtles occupy during nesting and hatching periods;
• Spaying or neutering your dog to reduce the number of stray dogs;
• Supporting organizations that are working to protect sea turtles in Jamaica by volunteering and making donations to assist with the monitoring of these sea turtle nesting and hatching sites.
• Volunteer for participation in NEPA’s sea turtle monitoring exercises