Samawah launches campaign to remove livestock from city center

MUTHANNA — The Samawah Municipality, Muthanna governorate, began a campaign on Monday to eliminate livestock breeding within residential neighborhoods in the city center, issuing a three-day ultimatum for livestock owners to relocate their animals.

Sitar Kazem, Director of Samawah Municipality, told 964media, “We have officially launched a campaign to address the phenomenon of livestock breeding in residential areas of the city center. Initial warnings have been issued to livestock owners, and special teams have been formed in cooperation with security forces to oversee and enforce the campaign.”

Kazem added that livestock owners have been given three days to relocate their animals to designated areas. Failure to comply will result in the confiscation of the animals.

The campaign aims to curb the growing presence of livestock in urban areas, which has become increasingly common in recent months, and to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to public health, according to Kazem.

Financial fines will also be imposed on violators in the coming days.

Similar campaigns have been noted in other areas. In May this year, municipalities in districts and subdistricts across the Kurdistan Region have started implementing stricter controls on livestock movement within urban areas. Fines for animal owners have been raised from 25,000 dinars to 100,000 dinars ($19 to $76).

Local authorities and some residents think that animal roaming, mostly oxen and cows, within the districts and subdistricts is an “ugly phenomenon” that should be phased out. Additionally, they report animals’ involvement in knocking over trash cans and even sometimes causing traffic issues.