RADA calling for animal pound to be established in Hanover
Published:Friday | May 9, 2025 | 12:12 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
Western Bureau:
With the just over 5,000 farmers in Hanover now seeing a welcome increase in production, the Hanover branch of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is calling for the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) to establish an animal pound in the parish to prevent stray animals from destroying the farmers’ crop.
Speaking at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the HMC, Aston King Jr, RADA’s deputy parish manager for Hanover, enquired as to whether plans were in place to establish an animal pound, which would make life easier for the farmers.
“A number of farmers have been complaining about loose animals around, destroying their production, and, basically, stopping them from producing. We are enquiring if there is any move to reintroduce an animal pound in this parish,” King asked Lucea Mayor Sheridan Samuels, who is also the chairman of the HMC.
“These animals have been wreaking havoc and have caused a number of farmers to quit production, so is there any consideration for the reopening of whether a parish pound or a regional pound?” asked King.
King pointed out that over the last month, 165 .2 hectares of land has been planted, while 160 .6 hectares has been reaped.
“The major crops were legumes, vegetables, yams, condiments, plantains, and bananas,” said King, who stated that his agency continued to work closely with all critical stakeholders within the agricultural sector to maximise production, hence the concern about the stray animals.
Residents across the parish have been raising concerns about the freedom with which cows and goats roam the roadways in the parish, causing serious accidents at times.
In his response, Samuels said consideration has been given to the problems being caused by stray animals, noting that discussions have taken place at several committee meetings.
He nonetheless stated that “our hands are really tied”.
The stray animals are impacting residents across the board as in addition to destroying farmers’ crops, they are also making life miserable for motorists, especially in the vicinity of the Grand Palladium Hotel, where cows and goats are regularly seen crossing the road.
“It is just a matter of time before a critical accident, caused by animals, happens along that Elgin Town roadway,” one public-transport operator told The Gleaner. “I have had close shaves with animals along that roadway more than once.”