AMA embarks on exercise to capture stray animals

Accra, Jan. 22, GNA - The Metropolitan Public Health Department of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has embarked on an exercise to capture and seize stray animals on ceremonial streets in the Metropolis. Mr Michael Tagoe, Principal Health Officer, and leader of a special task force set up to undertake the exercise told the Ghana News Agency on Monday that the measures had become necessary to curb the practices of leaving animals astray in many parts of the Accra, especially when the country was hosting CAN 2008.

He noted that the nuisance caused by the stray animals was very alarming, adding that many people rearing these animals did not comply with the bylaws on environmental health, which was the basis of poor waste management in Accra.

Mr Divine Dornu Sappor, Chief Environmental Health Officer in charge of Nuisance Control and Enforcement of the AMA, said a total of 35 animals were first captured last week and warned that if the owners failed to claim them upon the payment of some fines they would be auctioned.

He said these animals defecated indiscriminately at public places, adding that his office had put up stringent measures to deal with people who were guilty of such practices to make them responsive to environmental issues.

Mr Sappor said owners of these animals should ensure that they were kept neatly in pens to abate nuisance within the city. 22 Jan. 08