Roaming cattle continue to wreak havoc in Grove/Diamond

Feb 21, 2011 News

— as new pound remains empty

The officials in the Grove/Diamond Housing Schemes continue to ignore the plight of residents whose lives and property are being threatened by the presence of large droves of cattle that roam freely in the communities.

Rangers preparing to transport one of the injured cows

Their presence led to near disaster last Saturday, when a car collided with roaming cattle on the Diamond access road.
An occupant of the car was injured. One cow was killed while the legs of the other two were broken.
While police are to charge the driver, Kaieteur News understands that they have been unable to identify the owner of the cattle, since the cows were all unbranded.
Several other drivers have also crashed into cows and even horses that wander or sleep on the poorly lit access road at night.
Kaieteur News observed that a new pound had been built in the Grove/Diamond Police Station compound. However, not a single animal was in the pound.
Kaieteur News was told that the pound was built about a month ago. A source said that when asked, officials of the Grove NDC were unable to say why the structure is not being used.
Residents have complained repeatedly about cattle trampling on pipes in their yards and even destroying the walls of structures that are being built.
Kaieteur News understands that one of the chief culprits is a Kitty resident who has dumped several cattle into the communities. He reportedly also owns a butcher shop on the East Bank of Demerara.
In response, Minister of Local Government Kellawan Lall said yesterday that he had received complaints about the cattle nuisance and had asked the Grove NDC officials to address the issue.