2 arrested for killing cows found in rice fields

More than one dozen head of cattle have been shot and killed in the backlands between Number 54 and 58 Villages, Corentyne, Berbice in the wake of rice farmers complaining that animals have been destroying their crops.
Cattle farmer Ludmila Judistit told Guyana Times that, in the recent past, threats had been received from persons who have access to firearms that the animals would be shot.
“We does see dem boys down at the back with gun. They does go there to shoot rabbit,” she said. She added that, only recently, several head of cattle which were not in the cultivation area died after being fed bran mixed with cement.
Rice farmers have also recently reported that hundreds of acres of rice were being destroyed by cattle on the Corentyne. Both rice and cash crop farmers have been affected by the activities of cattle and other animals. They contend that the cattle enter the fields at night.
Meanwhile, there are reports that after the recent incidents had been reported, Police at the Number 51 Station have said that the animals had been poisoned. However, the carcasses have been examined by a vet, who has confirmed that the animals had been shot.
When the issue was raised in January, the Prime Minister’s Regional Representative Gobin Harbhajan had intervened. Harbhajan had been able to bring together the Rice Producers Association (RPA) and the 52-74 Water Users Association (WUA) to arrive at a solution. It has been decided that the WUA will issue to the animal owners notices which will serve as a final warning.
According to him, the notices were drafted by the Legal Advisor of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Umadat Chandan.
“Through this notice, the rice farmers would be able to get an appraisal on the damages. That was one of the recommendations (made) by the rice farmers — that notices be served (on) the cattle farmers,” Harbhajan had said.
However, the rice farmers have reportedly taken things into their own hands. “That is the wrong way to go,” Harbhajan has said, while adding that rice farmers should contact the Water Users Association and get a copy of the notice to serve on cattle owners whose animals they believe are responsible for the damage done to their crops. The notices will serve as a first warning, before the matter is taken to court.
Meanwhile, cattle owners have informed investigators of persons whom they have seen in the backdam with firearms. Two persons have since been arrested, and several houses on the Corentyne are currently being searched.