No action from municipality to remove stray animals

IT is interesting to note that no action is being taken by the local authorities to remove the strays that are wandering around in the suburbs, on the highways and roads. In Tuesday's The Herald there is a warning that they are now also being used to hijack vehicles and terrorise their occupants ("Police issue warning as hijacking cases soar").

Not being an expert in local governance rules, laws and regulations I would be highly surprised if it is legal to have these strays roaming as they do.

Surely a warning to the owners in the newspapers and by any other means that strays/herds of cattle, goats and even the odd pig will not be tolerated could be a start to reduce the problem. Failure to heed these warnings should have consequences that result in the impounding of the offending animals and selling of one or two to defray the costs incurred.

It will not surprise me to hear one day that legal action has been taken against the local government for their lack of action when an accident occurs involving stray animals. This would be a great pity as yet again it will be funded by the taxpayers, but of greater concern is that there could be yet another fatality resulting from this non-compliance.

Maybe the legal fraternity could supplement my concerns and comments by advising who in the local government could be held responsible in his personal capacity. Maybe then a solution will be found for this problem.

John Lindsay, Port Elizabeth