Stray camels rounded up by municipality in Oman

Muscat: The Municipal team of Ibri has rounded up a number of stray camels to maintain the safety of road users in Al Dhairah governorate.

Municipality of Ibri said in a statement online: "The municipality held a number of stray camels and calls on the owners of these animals to come forward as they need to be reserved in allocated places for their safety and for the safety of road users."

Owners of animals found to be wandering in public places will face legal action, according to municipal law.

"The owners of stray animals will have to pay OMR15 per retrieved camel, while recovered sheep will set owners back OMR5 per animal. That amount doubles for every additional day the animals are held by the municipality while waiting for the owners to pick them up."

Last week, Bidiyah Municipality in north Al Sharqiyah governorate launched a similar campaign after municipal officials in the town noticed a sharp increase in the number of animals roaming freely on roads, with little or no supervision from their owners.

According to a local from the wilayat of Bidiyah: "The wandering animals cause hazards for drivers and pedestrians and often wander out into roads and some people even complained about finding sheep and camels in their homes and gardens."