ST GEORGE’S, Grenada — Grenada kills horses that test positive for Babesia with no quarantine pathway, a policy veterinary experts are now openly contesting after two animals imported from St Lucia were destroyed within hours of docking at St George’s Port on May 29.
The horses, owned by Royan Smith of Bonanza Stables, tested positive for Babesia spp., the parasite responsible for equine babesiosis, shortly after arrival. Grenada’s Veterinary and Livestock Division ordered their euthanasia and incineration the same day, less than 12 hours after docking. Smith said authorities acted before he could arrange the animals’ return. “The horses arrive at 8 o’clock in the morning. By 6 o’clock in the evening, people kill the horses,” he said. Both mares were reportedly pregnant, and one had already been booked for wedding events central to his tourism business.
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell publicly backed the euthanasia decision, telling reporters he wanted to make a clear point about the risk to both animal and human health when Grenada’s animal importation laws are not taken seriously. He also stated that St Lucia’s authorities confirmed no export permit had been issued for the animals, characterizing their movement as a criminal offense in both countries.
Why Grenada Kills Horses That Test Positive for Disease
Veterinarian Dr Kenrith Carter issued a public statement questioning whether proper quarantine, testing, treatment, and expert consultation procedures were followed before the animals were destroyed. Carter said Babesia presents in multiple strains, the majority of which are treatable and species-specific, and pointed to published scientific documentation confirming Babesia’s presence in Grenada’s own livestock, raising questions about the urgency the ministry cited for immediate destruction.
Former St Lucia Chief Veterinary Officer Dr George Joseph, speaking with Choice TV SLU, argued the euthanasia was unnecessary, stating the disease is not life-threatening to humans and that treatment protocols exist across countries where it is endemic. Multiple other veterinary professionals who spoke with the network agreed equine babesiosis is a manageable condition and does not automatically warrant euthanasia.
Grenada’s Chief Veterinary Officer countered that the country has no operational quarantine facility capable of safely housing Babesia-positive horses, holds no specialized treatment medications, and was unable to identify any local partner willing to provide interim care. The ministry said its legal mandate required it to prevent the introduction of a disease not currently established on the island.
Legislation Stalled Since 2005 Left the Framework Exposed
Joseph identified three pieces of pending Caribbean legislation that he said could have established clearer protocols for exactly this kind of scenario: the Veterinary Surgeons Bill, the Animal Health Bill, and the Food Safety Bill. He said all three have remained dormant since at least 2005 without enactment and characterized the failure to advance them as amounting to irresponsibility. Joseph argued their passage, alongside a finalized regional standard under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, could prevent importers, governments, and regulators from again finding themselves without clear shared responsibilities when animals cross borders.
The incident has renewed attention to the CSME’s long-standing failure to harmonize animal movement protocols, a gap that Joseph said allows conflicting national policies to collide at ports of entry with no mechanism for resolution.
Criminal Referral and Civil Lawsuit Move Case Toward Courts
Grenada’s Ministry of Agriculture has submitted a report to the Royal Grenada Police Force to assess possible criminal charges against Smith. Permanent Secretary Javan Williams said the matter would not be treated lightly and that the ministry intends to uphold the country’s animal health laws. Smith’s legal team disputes the criminal framing, with his attorney arguing that importing an animal without a permit is not a criminal offense under Grenadian law and carries only a minor penalty.
Smith has since filed a civil lawsuit against the Grenada government seeking compensation for the loss of both animals, a move Mitchell publicly addressed at a media briefing, calling it an example of lawlessness. No charges had been filed against Smith at the time of publication, and all allegations against him remain unproven pending any legal proceedings. Smith’s civil claim is expected to test in court whether the documented absence of quarantine infrastructure could legally justify the decision to euthanize.
