Straying animals on Umhlathuze roads could be impounded
The City of uMhlathuze Local Municipality says residents could be held liable to hefty fines should their livestock or animals be found roaming the area and disrupting traffic.
The City of Umhlathuze, including Richards Bay on the north, has decided to impound any stray animals found wandering or grazing near its roadways.
Officials say the move is in response to a public outcry that accidents have been caused by unattended animals wandering onto the roads.
If any animal is impounded - the owner will be given 14 days to claim it and pay a fine covering the costs of transporting and caring for it.
"We are warning all the animal owners to look after their animals first. Secondly if they have lost their animals, they must ensure that they find them because once our enforcement unit finds the animals on the road. They will first make necessary communication to the owners. If not successful, then they will have to impound those animals. Then owners will be liable," Umhlathuze spokesperson, Mdu Ncalane said.
Ncalane says animals that are not claimed after two weeks will be auctioned to cover costs.