Officials gearing to tackle Grove/Diamond cattle nuisance – Minister Kellawan Lall

Dec 23, 2009 News

The beleaguered residents of Grove/Diamond communities should get some relief from roaming cattle and other livestock next year, if Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall has his way.
The Minister told Kaieteur News, yesterday, that he has asked the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to identify a temporary area where a pound for the roaming cattle could be impounded.
He said that he has visited the areas and is aware of how acute the problem is.
“I have seen the damage they are causing. I have spoken to the NDC already and we are ready to resolve it,” Lall said.
The Minister added that he may visit the communities to warn the owners of straying livestock.
Residents of Grove/Diamond Housing Scheme have repeatedly complained about the stray cows, horses, pigs, goats and other animals that abound in the community.
Residents have complained that the animals are not only a nuisance, but also a danger to life and limb.
Drivers and other commuters often have to manoeuvre around cows and horses that block the main road to the scheme.
The danger is particularly acute at night on the poorly-lit roadway and many drivers have had their vehicles damaged by the wandering cattle.
A motorcyclist lost his life some years ago when he crashed headlong into a cow on this same roadway.
One resident recounted that he almost drove off the same road one night when a horse blocked his path. He was forced to crash into the horse, which ended up on the bonnet and smashing his windscreen.
He never located the owner of the horse and had to foot the bill for the damage to his vehicle.
He also complained that stray cattle often damage the pipes in his yard, eat the plants in his kitchen garden, and even copulate and defecate in his patio.
Residents, particularly those with unfenced properties, complained that they are unable to cultivate kitchen gardens because of the presence of the stray animals. Pigs can also be seen rummaging in a garbage heap in the Grove New Scheme.
Some residents allege that a Kitty resident who grazes a large, unsupervised herd in the community is the main culprit.
According to the amended Pounds Act, owners of stray animals must pay a minimum $10,000 penalty or maximum $20,000.
The Act also allows any animals found to be straying on any public place or land to be seized and impounded.
A new section provides for the destruction of pigs found on private premises or private lands after notice is given to the owners and the police.
The carcass of the pig has to be handed over to the owner.