Gauteng Smallholder March 2018 | Page 21

LIVESTOCK From page 18 the purpose for which it was erected.” It can be exasperating for smallholders whose fences are stolen or vandalised or whose gates are left open by careless third parties, but the responsibility remains with the owners of the livestock to constantly check the condi- tion of their fences. Most municipal by-laws state that animal owners must maintain the premises on which an animal is kept in any person may impound an good repair and in a neat animal found abandoned condition, in order to prevent the occurrence of a public nuisance, and that the owner may not leave or allow any animal to be on any section of a public road or leave such animal in a place from where it may stray onto such section of a public road. If an animal or group of animals is found unattended on another person's property or on a public road , the animals can be impounded. Most by-laws regarding impounding animals state that 19 www.sasmallholder.co.za upon any street, road, road reserve or other public place. The pound is usually at the local SPCA. A question of proof of ownership will then arise, if you have to retrieve your animal from a pound. According to Tshwane municipal health by-laws, “A person claiming an impounded animal must satisfy the pound master that Continued on page 21