Littoral Governor Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua is taking action to stop cattle from roaming freely in Douala. The governor announced the new directive during a meeting on April 25th with local officials, herders, and technical services from the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries, and Animal Industries (Minepia), according to Cameroon Tribune.

This decision comes after the death of a motorcycle taxi driver on April 22nd. The driver swerved to avoid a herd of cattle in the Yassa neighborhood (Douala's 3rd district) and collided with a truck, reported Cameroon Tribune. The incident prompted the meeting, which aimed to find "immediate solutions" to the dangers posed by these wandering animals.

Freely roaming cattle are a recurring problem in Cameroon, not just in Douala. It's common to see cattle unattended in urban areas, posing a threat to public safety. These animals can cause traffic accidents, damage property, and create other hazards.

While animal control does exist in Cameroon, the penalties for violating regulations are unclear. A 1976 decree, amended in 1986, prohibits "the straying of animals within urban perimeters, public places, and roads" (Article 2). However, the decree doesn't specify fines for violators. It states that seized animals can be auctioned (Article 30).

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