OCtober 25, 2004
By Tabisa Mntengwana
THE City of Johannesburg has warned residents who allow their animals to roam public streets they will be prosecuted and fined.
The City issued this warning recently in response to a number of complaints about animals causing a hazard on public roads.
According to spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane: "We have received complaints from members of the public and are re-enforcing the matter to animal owners."
Added Johannesburg's acting director of environmental health, Nic van Deventer:" Any contravention of the by-laws will lead to prosecution and issuing of a stiff fine."
In terms of the by-laws regarding public health, while people are allowed to keep pets, they are not allowed to keep animals such as goats, cows, sheep and donkeys or any wild animals in residential properties.
Joburgers may keep five or less rabbits or up to 10 fowls, ducks, pigeons, peacocks, domestic guinea fowl or geese (poultry).
These numbers differ for those living on agricultural holdings, where residents may keep up to 20 rabbits or 100 poultry.
A goat may be kept for the provision of milk for medical reasons.
Residents are also reminded to ensure all animals are kept in appropriate facilities. These too are covered by the by-laws. "In all the instances, the by-laws make provision for specific requirements for keeping animals on private properties, farmlands and agricultural holdings like cages, holding areas, pigsty's, hutches stables and enclosures," the press release pointed out.
Animal owners also need to keep all facilities clean, for the sake of the community and the animals.
Another aspect is to ensure that animals remain on the residents' properties and do not roam public roads, creating a danger to road-users.
According to Van Deventer, the City will not tolerate the contravention of its by-laws, "especially where the lives of motorists, pedestrians and the well being of the communities are endangered".
The Johannesburg metro police will enforce the by-laws and will work with other departments, like the department of land affairs, agriculture, conservation and environment, to draw up a plan of action to regulate the control of animals in the city.
"Our duty is to inform animal owners about the by-laws and explain to them what is required of them," said metro police chief superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
He added that most owners of animals are willing to work with the metro police and "we have not issued any fines yet".
Several problem areas have been identified around the city, including Diepsloot, Midrand, Ivory Park, Doornkoop, Alexandra, Diepkloof, Meadowlands, Orange Farm and Ennerdale.
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
