STRAY ANIMALS IN GEORGETOWN

HOW DO YOU THINK IT WOULD REFLECT ON OUR COUNTRY, IF WE HAVE STRAY ANIMALS LOOTING IN OUR CAPITAL?

 Guyana is a paradise for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and the eco-tourist alike. We boast an irresistible combination of fascinating and breathtaking natural beauty; pristine Amazonian rainforests; immense waterfalls;, amazing wildlife; blended with a vibrant indigenous culture, rich heritage and the most hospitable and friendly people in the world, said Hon. Manniram Prashad, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. However, when last did we took a good look at our capital city?
Guyana is indeed known for its wildlife but are the stray animals that can be found on our streets also considered as part of our wildlife?  Over the past two week, there has been an increase amount of stray animals around the city of Georgetown in areas such as Bourda market, Stabroek market, on the Seawalls near food stales and local food places.
On a daily basis, stray animals primarily dogs and cats can be seen around food places such as churches chicken, pizza hut and local Chinese restaurants. The reason for this is because these animals do not have owners and they are left on their own to survive. Therefore, they hunt in garbage bins for their daily meal or they depend on strangers to leave food for them.  Around the market square, these animals eat waste from the drains and they pull down the bins to find food. This eventually leads to garbage pollution and it contributes to blockage of the drains which eventually leads to flooding. This can be demonstrated every Sunday before the garbage collectors pick up the garbage bins. The dogs and cats hunt the dispose garbage and spread the garbage throughout the streets.
Citizens who resides in Georgetown, argued that over the years, they had to accept the fact that our capital city has a large amount of stray animals and even if they attempt to get rid of these animals more will eventually come. Residence believe that these animals come as a result of irresponsible animals owners who allow their animals to walk freely. They claim that most of these animals came from rural areas and eventually they multiplied as they dwell amongst each other. Most citizens believed that if we stop entertaining the animals especially the dog then they will leave voluntarily. However, they claim the government is doing a poor job in maintaining the standards of the country by having stray animals in the capital.
On the contrary, in an interview with an officer from the City Hall and other members of the local government, it was noted that, pounds are set up in place to capture these animals and maintain peace in the society. The City Hall pound is currently working and the Guyana Traffic Development has recently began a new training project under the supervision of Mr. Glasgo. This project will facilitate individuals who are willing to be a stray animal catcher. Individuals will be sent out in the fields to capture these animals and a penalty will be placed on the animal's owner if they are identify.
Additionally, members of the local government claims, that the government is doing their job in keeping these animals off the roadways in order to prevent accidents, promote a health and safe environment and also to keep and maintain our country standards. However, they pleads that it is the citizens who have to keep the environment clean and free from littering. If the garbage is properly disposed of then the animals will find no food. They also urge citizens not to feed or encourage these animals around food places because if these animals are being entertained then more will come and the issue will never be solved.
Therefore, it can be concluded that Georgetown have a stray animal problem that  needs to be dealt with urgently because it does not reflects good on the country to have animals in our urban areas. It is unhealthy and very frustrating to have stray dogs and cats disturb one whiles having their meal. It also contributes to road accidents and they pollute the environment with garbage, waste from their body and noise. Both citizens and the government have to work together in order to permanently get rid of all the stray animals that lingers around the city especially in the market square, seawalls and food places.