Home Letters Efforts by Turkeyen Police and those stray animals
Dear Editor,
Following your publication earlier this week of my missive regarding frequent traffic chaos and obstruction within proximity of the Turkeyen Police Station, I had a brief conversation with a female Police rank stationed there.
She was seen at about 07:45h two days after your publication, desperately trying to chase a stud of about 7 horses from congregating in front of the Turkeyen Police Station on the busy ‘D’ Field access road.
I was heartened by her fearless and valiant effort. Most females would be petrified at the prospect of what such huge animals could do if agitated, much less try to chase them. In complementing her, I suggested that the horses needed to be impounded, since their usually obstructive presence along the roadway is hazardous to motorists and pedestrians alike (particularly small children making their way to and from school).
The Police officer responded affirmatively, but conceded that the Police Station has no pound.
This is a perfect example of the need for resource allocation and capacity building, as well as collaboration by such agencies as the City Council or Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Animal Protection advocates in supporting the Police’s efforts to maintain law and public order on the roadway.
In my earlier writing, I inadvertently omitted concerns about the prevalence of these types of animals on the roadway. Their presence contributes significantly to the mix of impairment to road-users’ safety in the South Turkeyen area. I know that some readers may consider me selfish for writing solely about this problem in South Turkeyen, since there are other communities where this trend prevails. However, they can write as well, or even take action if so persuaded.
The practice of whoever owns those horses, as well as another group that routinely congregate on the A-field section of Dennis Street opposite the Beepat’s Wholesale Bond seems to be getting completely out of hand.
About a year ago, one of the horses from that stud on Dennis Street leapt onto the car of someone I know, damaging the bonnet and shattering the front windscreen. The gentleman made an initial Police report, but was subsequently burdened with the expense of repairs to his car, since the horse’s owner became a slippery eel, and the matter died with the passage of time.
Once again, I trust that the relevant authorities will take note, as well as appropriate steps to curb this evolving hazardous situation in the South Turkeyen/ Pattensen/Sophia community. The impounding of those animals that pose threats to public safely and the instituting of consequent fines or auctions against their owners could be a timely source of revenue earning for the Neighborhood Council.
Sincerely,
Orette Cutting