B.V.I. Tuesday, October 6 – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Department of Agriculture will hold a public auction to sell impounded cattle on Saturday, October 17 from 10 until 11 a.m.
The 12 heads of cattle were captured from various locations throughout Tortola by officials of the Department of Agriculture.
Chief Agricultural Officer Mr. Bevin Brathwaite told the Department of Information and Public Relations that livestock, particularly cattle should be tied, penned or kept in an enclosed area to prevent escape unto public places and main roads or to prevent injury to passersby or damage to other people’s property.
“The main damage caused by stray animals includes bodily harm to people and pets, destruction to landscape and agricultural production, and property and structural damages. As a community we must take stronger precautions to guard against such costly and destructive impacts so I encourage all cattle owners to take every necessary precaution to secure their livestock,” the Chief Agricultural Officer stated.
The Pounds and Livestock Brands Act, 2004 authorizes the Department of Agriculture to capture and impound any animal found straying in a public place or trespassing on private land.
Section 9(1) of the Pounds and Livestock Brands Act, 2004 further gives authority to the Chief Agricultural Officer to sell any impounded animal by public auction by delivering it to the highest bidder upon receipt of the amount of the bid.
Interested persons are asked to be present at the Department of Agriculture’s pound site located at Paraquita Bay, Tortola at 10:00 a.m. on October 17. Prospective bidders are advised that all animals must be removed immediately from the pound site after purchase.
For more information, persons may telephone Mr. Augustine David, Livestock Officer at the Department of Agriculture at telephone numbers 495-2110, 495-2532 or 468-3701 extension 6123.
The Department of Agriculture aims to enhance and sustain the agriculture industry with the Territory and improve agricultural productivity to all residents in the Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands News