In a recent case heard at the Hohoe Magistrate Court, a driver by the name of Haruna Abdul Mohayimin was found guilty of rearing and keeping cattle in his residence. As a result, he has been sentenced to a fine of GH¢300. The court deferred the sentence, taking into consideration the fact that Mohayimin had complied with the court order and was a first-time offender.
The act of rearing animals on residential premises is deemed to endanger public health and is prohibited by the Public Health Act, 2012, Act 851. Prosecuting on behalf of the case, Mr. Frank Azila-Gbettor informed the court that Mohayimin resided in the Zongo (Chief Imam’s premises) and reared cattle in his father’s house at Gbi-Bla (Picnic), where his mother and other siblings also resided.
During a routine house-to-house inspection on November 7, 2023, a team of Environmental Health Officers discovered 10 cattle and sheep on the premises, which they deemed to be a potential threat to the health of the occupants and neighbors. As a result, Mohayimin was instructed to relocate his animals to a more suitable location within 14 days.
However, a follow-up visit on January 17, 2024, revealed that the animals had not been relocated and were causing a nuisance to the neighbors. The prosecutor emphasized that the rearing of cattle in residential premises posed a risk of exposing the public to zoonotic diseases such as tuberculosis, anthrax, contagious bovine, and pluero-pneumonia.
As part of the court's sentencing, Mohayimin has been ordered to cease rearing the animals and to work with Environmental Health officers to find a more appropriate location for them. It is imperative that individuals adhere to regulations concerning the keeping of animals in residential areas in order to safeguard public health and well-being.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of abiding by regulations related to animal husbandry and public health. It is essential for individuals to be mindful of the potential impact of their actions on the wider community and to take proactive measures to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
-source GNA | curated by Tetteh Belinda | Ghana Crimes
