Landowners urged to secure fences to stop stock wandering

Police and local authorities are urging landowners to ensure their fences are secure after a number of complaints about wandering stock.

In March the Far North District Council received 53 complaints and in April to date 32 complaints have been logged.

In April, so far, the police have received 60 complaints of wandering stock and three vehicle crashes occurred after the vehicles hit animals on the road.

One of the main causes for stock getting onto the roads is inadequate fencing. Council believes the recent upsurge in complaints could be due to the drought in Northland.

“Hungry and thirsty stock have no respect for fences and some landowners are grazing the ‘long acre’ because of feed shortages,” a Council spokesperson said.
He called on landowners to be extra vigilant, around stock management and supervision, during the drought.

Northland Police Road Policing Manager Inspector Clifford Paxton is urging landowners to check their roadside fences regularly. People should call 111 if they see animals wandering loose that may be danger to traffic.