Call for action over deaths of animals
A VAN was written off after coming into collision with a cow on Gower.
The incident near Cefn Bryn on Tuesday evening is the latest in a series of incidents which have fuelled a campaign calling for drivers to slow down when driving across Gower.
Campaigners said the latest incident, in which both the cow and a calf were killed, brings the total number of animal deaths on Gower’s commons to 75 in the past 14 weeks.
Sam Hughes, of the Gower Commons Safety Action Group, said: “This latest incident took place near Broad Pool and like the others is heartbreaking. The farmers who let their animals graze on the commons have lost so much stock.
“Now that daylight is diminishing, and the winter is coming and the weather conditions are getting worse, it is likely to only get worse. If people drive at a reasonable speed they will be able to stop, even if it is night time and there are black coloured animals on the road.
“This wasn’t the only incident – a sheep was killed at Ryers Down near
Llanmadoc. It is an awful situation”.
Livestock on the commons are essential for maintaining the area’s topography; because of their differing heights, grazing cows and horses and sheep leave a mix of different heights of grass, needed by different habitats, insects and animals.
But some farmers are so fed up at losing their livestock they are considering pulling them off the commons, despite the consequences.
The owner of the latest cows to be killed, who did not want to be named, said: “The damage to the vehicle is unbelievable, but you can mend a vehicle. My shock sets in when I have to get the two dead animals dragged off the road and dumped in a ditch until morning.
“The driver was apologetic but believe me apologies don’t muster it for me. We can all be apologetic when we are caught, it’s what you do after that counts and shows just how sorry you are.
“Sad situations that are happening far too often”.
The Gower Commons Safety Action Group claimed police failed to prosecute drivers involved in mowing down animals on Gower, carry out speed gun operations or issue tickets.
South Wales Police has been asked to respond to this claim.