Animals on the loose in residential areas

Residents in the country’s cities are lamenting the lack of enforcement of by-laws on handling of domestic animals in residential areas.

The complaints follow a surge of domestic animals which are causing a nuisance.

Local Government Control of Animals By-laws and Public Health Acts for Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu councils state that residents can keep a maximum of three domestic animals.

Section 4 (1) of the Local Government (Control of Animals) By-laws reads: “Subject to these by-laws and any other written law in force within the area, a person shall not be allowed, in any residential premises or any unauthorised area, to keep, rear, stall, graze or suffer to be kept reared, stalled or grazed any of the animals as specified”.

But Nation on Sunday’s spot-checks across the country’s four cities reveal a different story as some residents are keeping more than the allowed number of goats, sheep, cattle, rabbits, pigs and donkeys in public spaces.

The situation is frustrating other residents who are complaining about unsanitary conditions and noise pollution.

In random interviews, the residents said lack of enforcement of by-laws has led people raising such animals to make their homes makeshift farms.

Paul Nyirenda from Mudi Estate in Blantyre told Nation on Sunday last week that numerous attempts to reach out to Blantyre City Council (BCC) to address the issue in his neighbourhood proved futile.

For two months now, a grassy area close to his house has been turned into a grazing field for hundreds of goats.

Nyirenda bemoaned BCC’s failure to enforce by-laws, querying its commitment to maintaining public health and safety standards.

“There is no clarity on who owns the goats. I wrote to the chief executive officer, but I have not received any response. I don’t know where else to go,” he said.

His frustrations are shared by many in the area who said animals have been causing chaos.

Gehaz Jenda from Naperi Township in Blantyre also petitioned the city council on similar issues last December.

He said: “It seems people are turning the neighbourhood into a ranch. We see cattle or goats by the roadsides feeding on grass. Some of these animals even feed on our grass and flowers.”

In Lilongwe, Esmie Malikebu petitioned the city council in January this year on its laxity to enforce the by-laws as some Area 25 residents rear goats.

She said: “I have been calling the city council on numerous occasions and after getting no assistance, I was compelled to write to them formally. Unfortunately, up to date I have not received any feedback”.

Malikebu claims that there was a time when the goats were found tearing her clothes from a drying line.

The situation is the same in Zomba where Esther Banda from Matawale complained that goats and pigs occasionally encroach in her maize field at the back of her house.

She is yet to report the matter to the city council.

But for two weeks, city councils have not responded to our questions.

BCC spokesperson Deborah Luka and Lilongwe City Council (LCC) Mayor Richard Banda all asked for more time.

Later, Luka referred the matter to BCC chief executive officer Dennis Chinsewu who has not been available while Banda referred this reporter to LCC director of health Jorlex Kamtokoma.

Kamtokoma had not responded as we went to press.

Mzuzu City Council spokesperson MacDonald Gondwe also said he needed to liaise with the responsible directorate while Zomba City Council Mayor Davie Maunde was not available.

Movement for Environmental Action co-chairperson Mathews Malata in a separate interview said with the high urbanisation rates, it is unjustified to keep excessive animals

He said: “Increased animal presence often necessitates pesticide use, posing risk to human health and the environment if not properly handled and on the other hand, unmanaged animal waste [dung] can spread harmful bacteria, although proper treatment can help restore soil health.

“Additionally, the sight of dead dogs on roadsides and the associated odour are unpleasant. Also, the accumulation of animal waste generates significant wastewater, leading to contamination issues and potential mosquito breeding ground”.

The four city councils state that where an individual contravenes provisions contained in the Local Government Control of Animals By-laws (2018), authorities have the power to impound the excess animals and fined the owner K2 000 for each animal.

Professor Adamson Muula, head of community and environmental health at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences professor and Adamson Muula said while keeping animals might have benefits, society must understand why there are restrictions.

He said: “Our society needs to appreciate that there are good reasons why there are limits as to how many animals to keep in urban areas. Breaking these rules has the potential to harm many people. As we appreciate these potential problems, we can start making changes.”