Residents in the vicinity of Duncan Street and the Eastern Highway have had to put up with the sight and stench of the decaying remains of a horse which has been there for some four days and have decried the lack of action by the relevant authorities in responding to reports of the dead animal.
A minibus reportedly struck down and killed the animal on Christmas Eve some time in the afternoon. No one has come forward to claim ownership of the horse since the incident.
City Council has responsibility for removing dead animals off the street, but up to yesterday afternoon the animal was still lying at the junction. Mayor Hamilton Green when contacted told Stabroek News that he was unaware of the problem, but said he would act on the information received and have the carcass removed.
Green said the situation was a terrible one, noting that the residents in the area must be gravely affected by it. He said the onus to report the dead animal to City Council first lies on the owner of the horse, but emphasised that the council has responsibility for removing dead animals off the streets not considering this.
After four days the carcass was swollen and foul smelling, polluting the surroundings, particularly affecting residents on the northern half of the Eastern Highway. Minibuses using Duncan Street as an access route to Sophia had been forced to drive with windows shut tight. Anyone traversing the general area had to hurry along while covering their faces.
Stabroek News spoke with two residents in the area who complained about the high stench and the presence of the carcass on the roadway for four days.
“We have to pass and see it and smell it all the way in our homes,” a resident lamented.
The residents related how calls were placed to several agencies but no one responded. One resident said she had no idea who to call but rang the police to ask for assistance and was given the assurance that the relevant body would be contacted.
