Techiman (B/A), Aug. 3, GNA - Cattle and pig owners in Techiman Municipality have been given a three-month ultimatum to stop rearing their animals in homes or be prepared to face legal action.

Mr Andrews Sam Akakpo, Senior Environmental Health Officer in-charge of Health and Protection Standard Unit of the Assembly, gave the warning at a meeting with members of Techiman Cattle Owners and Dealers Association on Friday.

He told the association that they had been given up to September this year to relocate all pigs and cattle in their homes.

Mr Akakpo explained that it was illegal under the Municipal Assembly bye-laws for cattle and pig owners to release their animals to stray and mentioned Section 5 'A' of the assembly's bye-laws that restrained cattle and pig rearing in homes.

He noted that apart from the destruction of farms and properties, cattle and pigs also caused diseases such as tuberculosis and Anthrax which posed a serious threat to human lives.

Mr Akakpo announced that the assembly would embark on an exercise to arrest stray animals in September this year and those found guilty would be prosecuted.

He called on members of the association to report dead animals to environmental health officers for examination and to desist from selling the meat to chop bar owners.

Adam Mohammed, Secretary of the Association, charged members to abide by the assembly's rules and regulations to avoid facing legal sanctions.

Alhaji Nuhu Fawa, Chairman of the Association, commended the environmental health division of the assembly for the sensitization meeting and appealed to those who rear cattle and pigs in their homes to stop the practice.