MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay Municipality has received an increasing number of complaints about farm animals kept within the suburban areas. According to reports, the animals are not kept in hygienic conditions, nor are they kept within specific boundaries.
Reports are received of farm animals inside dwellings and of others being allowed to roam freely. This causes a nuisance to other residents.
The municipal by-law identifies farm animals as, among others, those associated with farming activities, such as poultry, horses or donkeys.
Municipal by-laws regulate the keeping of animals in the urban area.
The public is urged to take note of the by-laws, as transgressions may result in the guilty parties being prosecuted and, in some cases, animals in question being impounded.
Besides pets, no other animals may be kept on any premises or property without the prior written permit issued by the municipal manager, unless the premises are, in terms of an applicable town planning scheme, zoned for the keeping of animals.
The owner or custodian of the animals may not cause or allow an animal to interfere with the ordinary comfort, convenience, peace or quiet of other people or cause damage or pose a danger to other people or animals.
The owner may also not leave or allow any animal to be on a public road or any section thereof, or leave such an animal in a place where it may stray into such a section of a public road or roam uncontrolled.
If animals are impounded the owner is, in addition to paying a fine, responsible for all related costs including transport costs to the pound, daily subsistence tariffs, and other costs related to keeping the animals at the pound.
The animals will not be released if the monies are not paid, and non-payment could result in the animals being sold at an auction to recover the costs.
According to the by-law, an owner in relation to an animal includes the person having the possession, charge, custody, or control of such an animal.
The municipality will, in the coming weeks, enforce the by-law diligently and urges the community to ensure that animals do not roam freely within the residential or suburban areas.
Municipal by-laws can be viewed at www.mosselbay.gov.za or at the municipality.
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