Last Updated on August 31, 2022, 5:21 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Mark Brantley, The Premier of Nevis, has called on pet and livestock owners to keep their animals under control. He has done so on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, which has been managing the complaints that they are receiving from the residents of the island.
The livestock and pets that are allowed to roam freely around their neighbourhoods pose an operational hazard to many motorists, pedestrians, homeowners and farmers of Nevis. They have to deal with these hazards on a daily basis as they go about their respective businesses.
Premier Brantley recounted the various incidents of damage to crop farmers that have come to light in the last few months and added that there are reports of road accidents involving animals.
The Premier stated that cattle and pet owners need to take better care of their pets and that they can not simply open their pens in the morning (get to their businesses) and set their animals free on the roads.
He stated that the administration is asking dog owners to keep their pets under control owing to an increased number of incidents reporting dog attacks on other animals. This has caused animal farmers to suffer great economic losses.
The Premier further added, “Dogs are not only attacking animals. We have had some instances of dogs attacking people as well. So I also appeal to dog owners to do the right thing.”
The Premier is encouraging farmers who might be having issues accessing land to graze their livestock to enter the Department of Agriculture. The team will work with them to address the matter since ensuring food security for Nevis is a top priority of the Nevis Administration.
He said the Nevis Island Administration is prepared to consider other measures to curtail free roaming if farmers and pet owners do not heed his appeal.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
