Kouga Municipality is set to intensify its ongoing efforts to clamp down on roaming animals across the region, impounding them should they be left to wander unattended on public roads.
Kouga Community Services Portfolio councillor, Daniel Benson, said roaming animals (including cattle, goats, pigs, and donkeys) were a threat to public safety and had been highlighted as a matter of concern by residents.
“There has been a dramatic increase in residents who allow their animals to roam the streets, sidewalks, and even private gardens,” he said.
“We have, thus, started impounding stray cattle, and the owners of the cattle can only access them after paying a fine or negotiating for a payment plan.”
He said that Kouga had a capacity problem, since there was only one privately-owned pound located at Farm De Hoek in Melon, Loerie and thus, even if roaming animals are impounded there is not always space at the pound to house the animals.
The pound offers separate enclosures for different animals, including cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep. All camps have permanent water points and are securely fenced off.
“The pound can roughly only take up 100 animals at a time,” said Benson. “When it is full, it becomes a problem.”
According to him, impounded animals are kept for a period of 21 days and owners are issued with a notice to collect their animals. The fee per day ranges between R80 and R170. This does not include the administration fee, dip, and injections when necessary. Should animals not be collected, they will be sold on auction.
Benson said that the easy availability of calves for purchase is also a major concern.
“We ask all farmers selling these calves to ensure that the prospective buyer has the necessary fenced-off land available.”
He concluded that the municipality is looking at commonage land to help alleviate the problem of roaming animals in the streets of Kouga.
More information
For more information about the Impoundment of Animals By-Law, visit the Kouga Municipality website at www.kouga.gov.za.
Roaming animals can be reported at 063 234 4669 or to the Kouga Call Centre at 042 200 2200. Alternatively, send a WhatsApp to 081 760 9183.
