Animals on the roads worrying - Traffic Chief

Animals on the roads worrying – Traffic Chief

Nov 23, 2015 News

Stray catchers unit reportedly disbanded

Traffic Chief Dion Moore

The issue of animals roaming the streets is a source of concern for both road users and the Police Traffic Department.

However, this publication understands that the unit which was set up to round up stray cattle, and which operated out of the Home Affairs Ministry, has been disbanded.

Traffic Chief Dion Moore said that while stray animals are directly and indirectly responsible for accidents, “most don’t carry brands and as such the owners can’t be found.”

He said on the East Coast there are a lot of horses and cows traversing the roadways.

He also noted that if owners need to transport livestock from one location to another, they must have approved vehicles to do so.

“Animal owners need to know that as a rule you should have persons guiding the animals from the front and the rear.”

Moore said persons must carry a flag to indicate to road users, especially drivers, that they are clearly about to cross a road. This he said, “Is not being done in most areas but I’m aware that in West Berbice some owners comply but in most cases, animals are left unattended and ever so often this is a contributing factor for accidents.”

The Traffic Chief said while police are often blamed for animals being on the roadways “Police do not deal with animals, it’s up to the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils who are the governing body to ensure enforcement.”

The last road accident which resulted in death involving an animal was at Don Robbin, East Corentyne where a motorcyclist collided with a cow.

Impounding of strays was a regular feature during the previous administration. However that unit has apparently been disbanded.

(Mondale Smith)