Let the cows out

Duiker Ridge resident writes:

“Who let the cows out?” (I like the heading)

Randburg Sun 27 August 2015 written by Cavan Berry

My comments –

Had Cavan stated that some “Residents of Randpark Ridge are up in arms …..” I would have agreed with the first sentence; however the residents of Extension 17, 22 and 34, who live along the greenbelt of the Duiker Avenue Crescent (of which I am one) canvassed the opinions of the residents on their Whatsapp group, and there was not a single negative response to the animals grazing in the park.

The reports read as follows – they liked the animals in the greenbelt, that it added a welcome rural flavour to the area, and that their children loved the presence of the animals.

One resident responded that she deliberately takes a drive down to the park to see the animals.

Children are not often exposed to farm animals; therefore their presence on the greenbelt has educational value. As the owner of the animals mentioned other valid advantages to which Cavan referred in his article, there is no need for me to repeat them here.

Mother Earth likes the poops, as they fertilise the soil.

Walkers can skirt around them unless they are superstitious and want to step into them for good luck.

It surprises me that Mr Doherty has not been able to find a positive solution in four years to what he perceives to be a problem.

I suggest that there is no problem, not even a dangerous one.

Persons have been shying away from walking along the greenbelt because they are afraid of being mugged, not because of the animals grazing peacefully.

To suggest that a bull could gore a child is bull in my opinion and an attempt to whip up emotions.

Mr Doherty and cameraman and possibly others are shown walking in the vicinity of grazing horses.

He does not seem perturbed that a horse would suddenly stop grazing to give him a kick up his “what’s-its name”.

Again the suggestion, that a horse may kick someone, is an exaggeration to whip up emotions.

I find it difficult to believe that a woman walking her dogs was chased more than once by a bull, unless she was playing matador.

The story fortunately had a positive outcome.

She was able to run faster than the slow bull and lived to tell the tale.

Cavan, did, however, mention that she was not on good terms with the owner.

It would appear that the owner is a responsible person who looks after his animals.

I was informed that the SPCA had voiced an opinion that the animals were well looked after and healthy.

Furthermore the owner has been consulting with the authorities who, I believe, have given their tacit consent for the animals to graze in the greenbelt, as they have been allowed to graze there for ages.

If a bylaw exists that compels the owner to carry a permit, it should, in my opinion, be processed according to statute so that it can be granted to him.

I agree with Dr Tomma, whom I have never met, that the complaints against him are unfair and exaggerated.

His property has agricultural rights. I want the animals to stay.

However they must be supervised to ensure that they do not stray out of the grazing area.

Hopefully my response leads to a more balanced view on the animals grazing peacefully in the greenbelt.

Editors note: Letter published unedited.