WESTERN BUREAU — Lucea mayor Lester Crooks, who obviously has a great dislike for stray animals, has started a drive to remove them from the Dr Aston King Highway in Hanover, arguing that they have caused traffic accidents and are destroying crops.

“Accidents are prevalent on this road; many lives have been lost as a result of the animals and we will not allow it to continue,” Crooks told the Observer. “The road is a death-trap; almost every night there is an accident, especially in the area of the roadway that is not lit,” he added.

In the last week, the parish council has removed approximately 50 cows from that section of the roadway to the animal pound at Montpelier in St James.

Crooks said they were now in the process of erecting signs along the roadway to warn motorists to be on the look-out for stray animals.

Last month, the Sunday Observer reported Crooks as threatening to shoot any stray animal that wandered onto his property.

Crooks was reacting to an accusation by a member of the Unity Hall Citizens’ Association that he had poisoned about 12 dogs in that community.

Crooks denied the charge but vowed that he would “shoot any dog, puss or goat” that came onto his property “and face the judge in the name of provocation”.

Crooks’ anger stemmed from his experience with a number of dogs invading his patio and messing it up each time.

Last week, he said he was seeking the co-operation of animal owners as the council continued its drive to rid the streets of strays.

“We are expecting the full co-operation of the citizens of the parish to prevent any further loss of lives and property by these animals,” Crooks said.

He added that the council would also be monitoring the situation closely to ensure full compliance with the law.