Ras Al Khaimah: Residents in northern Ras Al Khaimah have complained about wandering stray animals, mainly cows, which mess with garbage containers, thereby creating a hygienic problem.
The stray animals rummage through garbage bins in search for food and scatter garbage on the streets and in residential areas.
Saleh Al Shehi, a resident of Al Jeer said that mainly at this time of the year, cattle owners set their domesticated animals free in search of food on the streets, and to graze on supposedly green areas.
Saving on fodder
By allowing the animals to roam on their own, the owners believe they can save on fodder as the animals can graze on grass that sprouts along the sides of roads and in open spaces.
He said the problem starts when these animals start searching for food in garbage containers and spreading their contents on the streets. It forces residents to call on the emirate's municipality and other concerned authorities to clean up the sites.
He stressed that the problem lies with the animals' owners, who set their animals out of barns without paying any attention to either the safety of the streets or potential dangers.
Al Shehi said stray animals have been out in large numbers in the northern parts of Ras Al Khaimah, mainly Al Jeer, Shaam, Khor Khowair, Al Rams and their surrounding areas. He said the issue of stray animals has become a nightmare to all residents, as they wander on the main streets and in residential areas.
Remote areas
A senior municipal official said the issue of the stray animals in remote areas has not been addressed by the emirate's authorities, but the authorities are aware of the dangers they pose.
The official said the emirate's municipality will discuss the issue of stray animals with the emirate's concerned authorities to come up with possible suggestions to curb the problem.
The issue has been resolved in urban areas of Ras Al Khaimah, the official said, where stray animals are rarely seen.
Municipal workers have been instructed to provide all possible help to residents in northern Ras Al Khaimah to clear the mess caused by stray animals, especially with regards to strewing of garbage and littering, the official said.
