The case against one of the men charged with last year’s burning of an African green monkey came to an end in the District “F” Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Rico Jamar Maynard, a 31-year-old mechanic, of Airy Hill, St Joseph, pleaded guilty to the charge that he wantonly and cruelly abused and caused unnecessary suffering to an African Green monkey, in contravention of the Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals Act, between April 3 and 20, last year. He was represented by attorney Kyle Walkes.
Magistrate Douglas Frederick imposed a six-month sentence on Maynard but suspended it for 12 months.
The matter rose to national prominence after a social media video showed the cage monkey being doused and then set alight to the apparent delight of a number of onlookers.
It caused outrage among animal rights activists, with some offering monetary rewards. It was also condemned by the Ministry of Agriculture’s head of Veterinary Services, senior veterinary officer Dr Mark Trotman. (HLE)
