ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, April 18th, 2012 – The Department of Agriculture continues to find ways to improve the Agricultural sector through reducing the stray cattle population and potential harms and hazards throughout the Territory.
In an interview with Livestock Assistant, Mr. Theodore James from the Department of Agriculture he explained that according to the Pounds and Livestock Brands Act, 2004, “This provides the legal framework for the impounding of animals found straying in public places or trespassing on private lands.”
“In an effort to control stray cattle, the Department of Agriculture is informing the public and farming community that as of April 16, 2012, the department has embarked on an island wide ongoing surveillance and animal capture of stray cattle on Tortola,” Mr. James informed.
He added that members of the community are encouraged to notify the Department of Agriculture of any sighting of cattle and the location of where the cattle were sighted.
Mr. James continued to explain that the main damage caused by stray animals includes bodily harm to people and pets, destruction to landscape and agricultural production, road accidents, pollution of the environment and property and structural damages.
“As a community we must take stronger precautions to guard against such costly and destructive impacts”, he expressed.
The Livestock Assistant further added that, there are also many animal welfare concerns for the stray animals themselves which may include diseases, hunger, aggression between animals and persecution by humans in the form of cruelty, abuse and inhumane methods of killing.
The Department of Agriculture encourages 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 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.
For more information or to report sightings of stray livestock, persons may contact the Department of Agriculture at telephone numbers 495-2110 or 468-3701 extension 6123.
The Department of Agriculture aims to enhance and sustain the agricultural industry within the territory and improve agricultural productivity to all residents in the Virgin Islands.
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