Businessmen operating within the township of the Anna Regina, in Region Two, are concerned over the number of stray cattle roaming around the town.
Cows and sheep can be seen in front of leading businesses in the town on a daily basis.
This has prompted the President of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) Aadil Baksh to call on relevant authorities to implement a system to keep the animals off the road.
In an interview with Stabroek News, Baksh said that ECCI has complained to authorities about the issue and to date nothing has been done to remedy it.
The ECCI President said that traffic in the town of Anna Regina is already an issue due to the encroachments by businesses and market vendors upon the public road. He said the stray animals only exacerbate the already terrible traffic situation.
As a result, he urged all business owners to be socially responsible and remove any structure or impediments they have that are on the sidewalks obstructing the flow of pedestrian traffic. He also used the opportunity to urge all cattle owners to keep their animals in pastures.
During a drive through Anna Regina, this newspaper saw cows, donkeys, and sheep in front of businesses. Cows have been damaging the property of businessmen as well.
When contacted, Anna Regina Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall said the Town Council has a Constabulary Department and several stray catchers were granted permission to impound the animals. Prabhulall, however, noted that stray catchers are being threatened by owners of the cattle. The council also has a pound where the animals are kept when they are caught.
Prabhulall said in light of the current situation, the council will be involving the police on the matter and efforts will be made to address the issue of stray cattle.
