Stray cattle rounded up in Uitenhage blitz

Most of them belong to one owner.

The operation, which began at 9.30am, involved three teams of 15 officials from the municipal environmental health department’s animal control unit, the police stock theft unit and the traffic department.

The 2½-hour search for stray animals covered several areas of the town, including Durban Road and the De Mist area.

Of the 77 cows rounded up, 70 belonged to one KwaNobuhle man, who refused to comment.

Municipal spokesman Kupido Baron said the joint operation had been motivated by the growing problem of roaming livestock in Nelson Mandela Bay’s residential areas, and on national roads.

“This is not acceptable,” he said. “There are consequences [to letting stock roam unsupervised].”

Baron said Uitenhage had been picked for the first operation because of a high number of complaints from the area.

Uitenhage residents said the animals were a nuisance and posed a threat to public safety.

Beauty Sauli, 57, said the livestock owners should be held liable for the damage their animals caused.

“I have a damaged meter box at home because of them.”

“I believe the owners of these animals should [be fined] – they are supposed to look after their animals.”

Kenneth Botha, 64, said the free-roaming livestock were a danger to motorists.

“These animals put people’s lives at risk – when you drive at night, you need to be very careful because [animals] can cross the road at any time,” he said.

SPCA manager Koos Croucamp, 62, said many of the animals were unbranded, making it difficult to find the owners.

“There is a huge problem with these animals walking around.

“How many people have been killed on the road already?”

Baron said the livestock owners faced penalties, and that all stray animals were impounded.

“When the owners claim the animals, they have to prove the animals are theirs and pay pound fees.”

Additional fines could be imposed if the animals were not branded.

A case could also be opened against the stock farmers.