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Stray animals will continue to cause fatal accidents

Nov 01, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
The stray animals on our roads should be a cause for concern to all motorists and all other categories of road users, but the (NDC’s) Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, The Town Council and the Guyana Police Force should show more concern because of the onus and responsibility reside with them to implement the laws that seek to ensure that our roads are free from stray animals that are likely to cause and are contributing to the traffic accidents of all types including fatal accidents.
While the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02 caters for animals to be on our roads, they are on the road legally only when they are being ridden, driven or lead.  That is to say, or meaning that the animal is saddled or a rope attached, held by the person in whose charge the animal is in, so as to have that level of control. The Overseer of the N.D.C. who is the Finance and Administrative Officer, must take the necessary action as stipulated under the Local Government and District Council Act, Chapter 28:02 and the Town Clerk who is the Finance and Administrative Officer of the Town Council (Municipality) must use the authority vested in them under the Municipality and Town Council Act Chapter 28:01 pertaining to stray animals. It is time for these persons to say what action, if any and the result yield.
Both 28:01 and 28:02 deals extensively with the impounding and redeeming of strays.
As for the police, the Standing Order gives clear guidelines to the Pound Keeper who is the Subordinate Officer of the Police Station in relation to impounding and redeeming of strays brought in. But the most critical role of the police must play is ridding the road of stray animals, enforce the laws relating to the Brands Act, and while my observation and subsequent comments are made by driving on the Essequibo Roads where a lot of animals without brands can be seen, the same can be said of other regions.
A few years ago the Ministry of Home Affairs had assembly a Stray Catching Unit; they did some work in Region Four and Five.  I am not sure if any work was done in Region Two, and if this unit is functioning. The Brands Act speaks of the application of a brand, the making, the registration, the use and the custody, the purpose and a lot more, including the penalty of not using same as required by law. It is reasonable to say that the owners of these stray animals mostly cows, on purpose do not brand them  so as to conceal their identify (the owners) in the event of an accident involving their animals and therefore ownership cannot be established. This means prosecution cannot be pursued.
The N.D.C. and Town Council have an equal role to play, the owners also; not forgetting the general public who always have sometimes, more information than the police. While cattle rustling is not prevalent in Region Two, and many owners of animals may not find it necessary to brand them. the laws are clear and must be maintained.
Archie W. Cordis
Former A.F.C. Councillor
Region 2

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