Georgetown –The 2011 budget made provisions for the rehabilitation and construction of new pounds that would cater for housing stray animals caught. Stray animals on the road ways have been a soar problem in Guyana over the past years and have contributed to several road fatalities.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee launched a stray catching unit and said after looking at the legislative infrastructure and financial aspects of the project, the next step was to hire personnel for the unit.
Since this is a law enforcement issue the unit will be working hand in hand with the Guyana Police Force to bring stray animals under control.
The unit consists of a 12-man team of drivers and catchers, and four trucks for transportation of the animals to the pounds.
The Pounds Amendment Bill was passed in the National Assembly in April 2010 and provides for a fee of $5000 be paid to a stray catcher or any other person for every animal he/she takes to the pound. These include horse, mare, pony, cow, sheep, and goat.
The stray catchers initiative will go a far way in helping to address the issue as they are known to pose threats to roadways, there is also the issue of damage being done to public properties, particularly drains, roads, pipes, trenches, school yards, and playgrounds.
In 2009, the Home Affairs Ministry built and rehabilitated 17 pounds across Guyana.
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