SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — With stray cattle causing a mounting number of fatalities from road crashes and injuries, putting a strain on the blood supply, and disrupting operations at Pan-Caribbean Sugar Company Limited, the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation (WMC) has renewed efforts to establish an animal pound in the area.

In a significant step towards addressing the issue which has plagued many sections of Jamaica for years, the WMC will collaborate with other local authorities across several parishes to set up a facility that will serve them all.

During Thursday’s monthly meeting of the WMC, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Councillor Danree Delancy (People’s National Party, Bethel Town Division) announced plans for a meeting to discuss the next steps.

“I had dialogue with the mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, and he is thinking of having a partnership with the MPs in western Jamaica. Most likely, St James will have that facility and the rest of us as partners in this venture will work out our role and responsibilities as we go along,” Delancy said.

He explained that an animal pound once located in Frome, Westmoreland, had to be closed due to challenges in finding individuals willing to catch the strays and operate the trucks used to transport the animals to the facility.

“These people were threatened, and eventually, we had no catchers. And no animals were being impounded. This was costing the corporation a significant sum to maintain an empty pound,” Delancy told the meeting.

He added that Pan-Caribbean has expressed willingness to help find a solution, as their commercial activities are also being adversely affected.

“Their agricultural operations are being threatened… We’re learning that at certain times of the day, the owners of cattle are deliberately releasing their animals into the cane field where they’ll have a feast at the [expense] of Pan-Caribbean,” the mayor revealed.

A reflective Delancy, who mentioned his inability to provide answers to residents who inquire about the effectiveness of having a pound, also offered condolences to those who have lost loved ones in crashes.

“The last fatality that I heard about, this young man has died leaving behind several children and it is being said that he was the breadwinner for them all. He has died leaving behind other family members who looked up to him for sustenance. He has died leaving employees whose future in terms of employment is now uncertain. It is really sad that our citizens should have died like this,” said the chairman.

Donathan Dillon crashed while travelling along the Waterworks Main road on April 26. He later succumbed to his injuries at  hospital.

DILLON… died after his motorcycle collided with a head of cattle in Waterworks Westmoreland on April 26.

READ: Businessman dies after crashing into cow

During Thursday’s meeting, Medical Officer for Westmoreland, Dr Marcia Graham pointed to another ripple effect of the crashes as she touched on the issue of a shortage of blood.

“My colleague Dr Delroy Fray, clinical coordinator for the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) issued a [notice] that we have a blood shortage crisis situation. We in Westmoreland are no different. We hear about the stray animals causing these accidents. Some of these persons who survive need blood,” she said as she pleaded with the WMC to offer incentives to employees who donate.

Medical officer for Westmoreland, Dr Marcia Graham pointed to another ripple effect of the crashes as she touched on the issue of a shortage of blood. (Photo: Kimberley Peddie)

Among those killed during collisions with cattle in the parish in 2023 were policeman Tajay Ebanks, Christopher Samuels from Savanna-la-Mar, and Odane Dennison who lived at Piper’s Corner in Amity. There have been two reported crashes this year. The latest incident, though not fatal, occurred last Sunday night, the same time a candlelight vigil was being held for Dillon.

— Kimberley Peddie