[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Ministry of Home Affairs is reporting that the Stray Catching Programme was extremely successful in 2013, in that there was no report of an accident, involving a stray that resulted in the death of a person.
The programme commenced on January 3, 2013 and ended on December 31, 2013. During that period, the Stray Catching Units of Georgetown and Berbice conducted operations in accordance with the objective of the programme of enhancing traffic safety on the roads of Guyana by catching and impounding strays found using the roads, thereby reducing the risk of accidents resulting in deaths, damages to vehicles, and injuries to persons and animals.
A total of 4434 animals comprising three donkeys, 2089 cows 1167 goats, 430 horses and 745 sheep were caught and impounded.
The Georgetown Unit accounted for three donkeys, 660 cows, 673 goats, five horses, and 429 sheep.
Additionally, Stray Catchers benefited from weekly training sessions in the subject areas of the Laws of Guyana relating to the Pounds Act Chapter 71:0;4 the Cattle Stealing Prevention Act Chapter 9:03; the Local Government Act Chapter 28:02 and the Roads Act Chapter 5:01; Police and Public Relations; Guidelines for catching stray animals and Self Defence.
The Ministry in a release on Thursday (January 9) expressed concern in relation to the deaths of animals in the pounds and the escape of animals from the pounds, and emphasizes the need for the police to ensure the safety, health and well being of impounded animals.
The recommendations to have a pound erected at the East La Penitence Police Station compound, and that all police pounds be compartmentalized to facilitate the accommodation of both small and large animals, are engaging the attention of the Ministry, the statement added.
