The Newcastle Pound is operational!
For years the operation of the pound has been questioned, as residents did not know which way to turn when dealing with animals in town.
In spectacular fashion the pound launched with the impounding of 22 heads of cattle last week Thursday.
“The community can expect the pound to assist them with animals that have for a long time been a problem.
“We will assist in reducing, if not completely eliminating, the number of complaints related to roaming and straying animals,” explained pound manager, Loma Muyunda.
The animals in question were captured along the Asiphephe Road and the pound is determined to clean up all the roads and streets of Newcastle.
Following the capture of these animals, the owners can collect them after paying the required pound fees.
“Normally what happens is we literally go hunting for the owners until we find them, then they pay the required fees, before we release animals to them,” said Mr Muyunda.
The usual fine is R50 per animal.
If the owners are not found and do not collect the animals within 30 days, then the animals will be sold in an advertised auction.
He advised the community to take heed of the following guidelines to ensure the pound can function cohesively with the community and keep stray animals and livestock from causing damage.
• Always contact the Municipal Traffic department / RTI for all animals visible on public roads.
• Report stray unknown animals to Local SAPS / Stocktheft before thinking of the pound.
• If you have lost an animal/s, start at the pound first before opening a stocktheft case with the local SAPS.
• For owners of animals, ensure that you know where your animals are at all possible times and that they ARE ALL BRANDED CORRECTLY.
• For brandmark applications and brand iron manufacturing, contact the pound.
• For assistance the branding of animals, contact the pound.
• Owners of unbranded animals will be issued with a fine for not branding their animals by the SAPS/RTI/ Municipal traffic officer.
• Pound fees/cost will be paid at the municipality.
For more information regarding the pound, or to contact them regarding any issues phone 072 2258 665, 078 9568 126 after hours, or 034 3313 008 Monday to Friday.
