By DayakDaily Team
MATU, March 11: Local Authorities seized stray cattle in Kampung Tian Matu on Feb 24, imposing a fine of RM3,000 per animal on owners who failed to secure their livestock.
The operation was carried out following repeated public complaints about cattle roaming freely on roads and in public areas despite prior warnings.
Matu and Daro District Council’s (MDMD) head of Public Health and Urban Services Apohrozy Ezrie Ellie, stated that seizure operations are a last resort after owners ignore repeated advice.
“The local authority will take firm action against livestock owners who allow their animals, particularly cattle, to roam freely on public roads and public areas without supervision.
“In Matu District, the local authority has already enforced this regulation by capturing and seizing stray cattle in Kampung Tian Matu,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report yesterday (March 10).
The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Mukah Division Veterinary Services Department. Owners were given 48 hours to claim their seized cattle and pay the fine, but none came forward within the given timeframe.
As a result, the local authority issued an auction notice on March 4. The auction, held yesterday morning at the MDMD Matu office, attracted six bidders, with bidding starting at RM2,000 and increasing in increments of RM100.
This enforcement falls under MDMD’s Stray Livestock Enforcement Policy, approved in 2021 during the MDMD Full Council Meeting.
The policy is based on Section 113 of the Local Authorities Ordinance (LAO) 1996, which governs livestock management within MDMD’s jurisdiction.
“Moving forward, the Council will conduct seizure operations upon receiving complaints from local residents,” Apohrozy said, urging cattle owners to properly secure their livestock to prevent them from straying into public areas. — DayakDaily
