WHILE cows are lovable animals — especially when spotted peacefully grazing in the pastures — their unexpected presence in suburban areas and even the Amanzimtoti CBD poses risks not only to the animals themselves but also contravenes municipal by-laws.

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Doonside resident Yvonne de Kock said she frequently sees cows grazing near her home, often navigating traffic without a herdsman in sight. She recently spotted a lone cow, possibly lost, grazing along Umfuleni Road near a construction site.

“This surely cannot be permitted in the light of by-laws. There are roadworks and this animal then walked around the corner to graze on the pavement. Trucks and heavy machinery are constantly moving in and out, making it a busy intersection. What if an accident is caused or the animal is injured? I have been in Toti for three years and was told this has been a long-standing situation,” said De Kock.

While eThekwini Municipality does not have an animal pound, Ward 97 councillor André Beetge said the city is budgeting R4.41m towards the SPCA under “Animal Pound Contractual Obligations”.

“The situation with cattle roaming the streets and grazing open space, was an inherited issue when we took office in 2011. Since then there has been a massive population explosion, and the same demands being experienced in water usage, sanitation, electricity capacity and traffic increases, have likewise resulted in these herds being more visible within the traditional urban areas that are less densely populated and more specific, where safer grazing is available,” said Beetge.

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He added that third parties are reluctant to get involved with these exercises as they require specialised vehicles and equipment, safe and secure holding areas, and compliance with the Pound Act in terms of feeding, inoculation, and other demands once such an animal is contained in custody.

“This is not a challenge unique to the larger Amanzimtoti area that directly borders Ingonyama Trust land on the inland side, as much the same occurs in the outer west and far northern parts of the city. That said and irrespective, there is also the matter of herdsmen, as these animals do indeed find themselves wandering the streets unmanaged to the point of even creating dangerous situations along the N2 freeway,” he said.

He concluded by saying the ward committee has noted the matter and a platform of debate has been initiated with traditional leadership in finding mutual ground and means of managing the situation.

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