– Stray catcher unit urges owners to keep their animals off roadways

THE recently commissioned Stray Catcher Unit of the Ministry of Home Affairs has been making progress in keeping the country’s roadways ruminant free.
Coordinator of the unit, Ovid Glasgow told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that, on Wednesday, the catchers were again on the East Coast Demerara where they captured and impounded 15 animals. He noted that seven cows and two donkeys are at the Sparendaam police station pound, while 2 donkeys are at the Beterverwagting pound and 4 cows at the Vigilance Police station pound.
Glasgow further noted that owners wishing to repossess their animals can do so at the respective locations, once the valid ID and brands are provided.
Since the inception of campaign on March 29, which started at Diamond Housing scheme on the East Bank Demerara, scores of animals were caught and impounded by stray catchers.    
The Home Affairs Ministry has rehabilitated or built new pounds where necessary over the past two years at the cost of $13.2M.
The Pounds Amendment Bill, which was passed in the National Assembly in April 2010, stipulates a fee of $5000 to be paid to a stray catcher or any other person for every animal he/she takes to the pound. These include horses, ponies, cows, sheep and goats.