Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee yesterday met with stray catcher applicants who responded to an advertisement in the newspapers.
Rohee admitted that so far the ministry is in receipt of 24 applications but only some of these showed up for the meeting yesterday.
Rohee told the media that the applicants are aware of the risks involved and will be strategically placed around the country, noting that an increased fee is being offered.
The fee has been increased from $1,000 to $5,000 per animal, and if there is a dispute or even an assault, the police will find the necessary charges to institute, though they do not anticipate any such problems.
The Minister added that in 2009 almost all pounds at police stations were rehabilitated to accommodate stray animals.
In April 22, 2010, the Pounds (Amendment) Bill was passed in the National Assembly.
Presented to the House by Minister Rohee, the Bill sought to increase the fee to be paid to a stray catcher or any other person from $1000 to $5000 for every animal he takes to the pound.
Minister Rohee said that the categories of strays include horses, ponies, pony, cows, sheep, and goats.
Prior to this amendment, the Act was last revised in 2007, increasing the fee from a mere $30 to $1000.
However, the Minister said that, having consulted with the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), as well as with a number of stakeholders, it was realised that the fee was insufficient.
“Given the risks that are associated with this exercise, many persons desirous of performing the functions of a stray catcher made representation that the sum of $1000 was inadequate,” he said.
He added that subsequent to discussions at the level of the Cabinet, it was agreed that the sum should be increased to $5000 for each stray animal taken to the nearest pound by the stray catcher.
Minister Rohee added that in 2009, the Home Affairs Ministry built and rehabilitated 17 pounds across Guyana.
He asserted that there was no abstractness in the approach to this matter, and that high on his Ministry’s agenda was to rehabilitate or build new pounds, where necessary, over the past two years, at the cost of $13.2M.