Stray livestock to be taken to Belle Isle Correctional Facility

Animals that roam untethered will be picked up by the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) and the owners will have to a pay a fine to get them back.

However, animals that remain unclaimed for a certain length of time will become the property of the State and kept on farm lands at the Belle Isle Correctional Facility.

That is the word from Deputy Commissioner of Police Colin John, who recently told SEARCHLIGHT that the RSVGPF has devised a way to deal with the issue of stray livestock.

“We have employed the services of some veterinarians and whenever stray animals are seen in areas, persons can call and report it to the police; then the vets will tranquilize them in the case of cattle and those larger animals,” explained John.

He said once tranquilized, the animal will be impounded at Belle Isle on the prison farm and the owners will have to pay to have their animals returned. He is encouraging persons to call at any police station, once they see animals roaming untethered in areas where they should not be.

“You can call and report it at any police station,” said the Deputy Cmmissioner, adding that the fine will depend on the type of animal.

Animals to be targeted include cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys. A system to deal with stray dogs has not yet been devised.  

On August 11, police gave owners of stray animals two weeks to bring their animals under control.

The impounding of the animals comes on the heels of that warning.

The release issued last month by the RSVGPF stated that animal owners, “throughout the length and breadth of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” should have them tied.

“The animals, mainly cows and sheep, are usually untied mainly in the areas of Argyle, Buccament, Diamond and Cane Garden and are seen walking the streets freely. This situation creates potential for accidents and against this backdrop, the police is giving the owners two weeks to have the situation rectified”, the police release stated.

Last month’s warning from the police came just hours after SEARCHLIGHT published an article in which residents of Cane Garden complained about the invasion of their properties by livestock left to run free in the neighbourhood, something that has been going on since before 2014.

Stray animals have been known to cause tick infestations and even vehicular accidents in several areas.(LC)