Culling stray animals in the Western Division will be the last resort for the Department of Agriculture.
In adopting a humanitarian approach, the department has urged residents in the west to remember that animals were also suffering the effects of the drought.
Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Colonel Mason Smith said people should report incidences of stray animals to the proper authorities and not slaughter them.
“We have asked villagers, residents and farmers who find stray animals along the roads or farms to tie the animal up and report the incident to the nearest police station, military camp, agricultural office or commissioner western’s office,” Col Smith said.
“What we don’t want to have is unnecessary culling or killing of livestock.
“You must understand that these animals want to drink and go into the shade although they may be tied up in a farm or fenced off, fences can break and they can wander off.
“People shouldn’t take advantage of the fact that we are into dry season when animals can start to wander. They should not take advantage of the situation to have a free meal of beef meat.
“So I’ve asked the commissioner western to pass on the message that killing will be the last thing that we do.”
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