The Stock Trespass Act which has been introduced here, addresses and curb instances where people allow their animals to roam freely and trespass on private property.

Speaking on the Police on the Beat programme on NBC Radio, Station Sargent attached to the Legal research and Policy Unit Dwight Lewis said the act gives people the right to impound the animal and claim compensation for any damage done.

"Owners of animals some of them refuse to secure their animals properly and where your land isn't fenced or secured properly then these animals would trespass on your land and may cause damage, and when you speak to the owner of those animals, they refuse to compensate you, they refuse to bear ownership if the animal and they even refuse to bear any ownership of the damage that those animals would of caused. So those were the bases of why this legislation was passed and it is very important for farmers and for persons who own property out there."

Lewis said if any crop planted on the land, or any part of the property is damaged by trespassing animals, the owner could be awarded compensation.

"If the animal travels through your land to another land and it cause damage you will also be liable for compensation also. The Owner of the land means the owner lease or occupier of the land and the respected agents in charge of such lands. so, a Renter can also be considered the owner of the land giving the time the animal would of trespass on the land. If you are leasing any property, you would be the owner of the land at that time. "

SOURCE: National Broadcasting Corporation