THERE is a deadly social problem that is plaguing our society in all parts of Guyana and that is the problem of stray cattle on our roadways. I think the authorities responsible for this scourge should act speedily to have an end put to this issue of stray cattle on our roadways. About two to three months ago there was an advertisement in the newspapers soliciting the services of stray catchers but to date it seems as if nothing is being followed up on or implemented. In Berbice, where I live, cows make their beds on the road and could care less to move even if motorists blow their horns. A few weeks ago, I saw a driver of a car exiting his car one night to chase some cows lying on the road. At the junction of Main and Pitt Street, for three consecutive nights, the road there provided sanctuary for thirteen or more cows.

Imagine, in little Suriname, where I went on holiday in 2006, I did not see a single animal like cows or donkeys on the public roads save for a few dogs now and again. My cousins from that country were amazed a few years back when they saw some cows traversing the road in front of the New Amsterdam public Market. One of them said that could never have happened in Suriname and I saw that for myself when I went there. I was waiting for a few years to see if the authorities in Guyana would put an end to this embarrassing problem that has overtaken our country but nothing has changed.

Does anyone care? Guyana has too much of land in the country to have animals roaming the streets, defecating everywhere, sleeping, blocking traffic, and causing accidents on our roadways. Tourists laugh at our situation and view the present problem as gross slackness. You only have to walk with some foreigners down our roads and they will point out this sore issue to you by asking who is responsible for these animals on the roadways.

One in every six road accidents is caused by stray animals. There are incidents where traffic officers were told by drivers that cows and horses ran into the path of their vehicles causing them to veer into trenches or hit fences, people or buildings.

I believe these animals should be impounded and taken off our roadways. Then there will be no animals to blame and our roadways will be a lot safer to traverse. Our leaders must take a serious step in the right direction and act now before it’s too late. Let 2010 be a year of real change and rid the streets of these strays.