Steps are underway to increase the fee to be paid for taking stray animals to the pound.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee tabled the Pounds (Amendment) Bill 2010 in the National Assembly last Thursday, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. The Bill is intended to increase the fee from $1,000 to $5,000 for every animal a stray catcher or any other person takes to the pound.
Minister Rohee, at a recent press briefing, said that the increase is necessary since the job of removing animals from roadways is very risky and strays contribute to road accidents, especially in the Berbice area.
He noted that persons are very apprehensive to catch strays because of the risks involved and so his recommendation to increase the fee was agreed to by Cabinet.
Most of the animal pounds that are being operated are situated in police stations and are monitored by policemen who are not paid. The police stations, do, however, purchase feed or grass for the animals.
Rohee said that anybody could apply to be a stray catcher and added that there was greater demand for such persons in the Berbice area, particularly on the Corentyne Coast. Persons who are recruited to be stray catchers will also be vetted.
