The problem of stray cattle wandering into the streets of Louis Trichardt is becoming a bigger problem by the day.

Last week Wednesday, members of the local traffic department and members of the public had their hands full in trying to round up a herd of cattle at the southern end of town in Kort Street as the animals were causing a traffic hazard for motorists. The herd of cattle was eventually chased along Grobler Street, via Rissik Street, to the municipal pound.

Although many were grateful for the fact that law enforcers removed the animals, many were unhappy about the way in which the animals were herded by die officials.

Last week’s incident caught the attention of the local SPCA, after they ended up struggling for close to four hours to free a cow from a steel structure. The cow was spooked by the officials trying to round up the cattle and in her attempt to escape, ended up getting her mid-section caught between the steel support bars of a water tower behind Pro-Paint.

“We ended up having to unscrew the metal frame on both sides of the steel structure to free the cow. What made matters worse was the fact that the cow was in calf. After we had freed her, the traumatised cow just ran for her life,” says SPCA animal inspector Lawrence Khodobo.

Khodobo said that, although they realise that the law enforcers only wanted to help and carry out their duty, they should rather keep the SPCA’s number at hand and in future phone the society for help in dealing with situations like these. He said that their actions, in this instance, led to the cow’s getting trapped and injured.

“There is no need to prolong the animals’ suffering. Rather phone us for help,” says Khodobo. This, he said, not only applies to traffic officials, but also to police officials.

“We are the people trained to handle situations like these and are more than willing to help,” Khodobo said. The SPCA can be contacted at Tel 015 516 0427 until 18:00 or 082 965 5151 at all hours.