Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organisation (SEATOU), Germano Santa Brites, said that animals roaming freely at Nicolau Lobato International Airport must be put down when they are found by security authorities.
“Animals roaming freely at the airport must be killed. The airport must be free from situations like this,” he said.
He said that he will communicate with security authorities stationed at the airport to take the issue seriously, and when animals enter the airport area, they must be put down.
“We will use firearms that do not make noise,” SEATOU Brites said at Dili Airport.
He said that communities must comply with Decree-Law No. 12/2014 regarding the prohibition on allowing animals to roam freely in urban areas. Therefore, community members who own animals must not allow them to roam freely.
Madohi Village Chief, Bernadino de Cristo, said that in Madohi, awareness activities regarding Law No. 12/2014, which prohibits animals from roaming freely in the city, have been repeatedly carried out with the community, but some people do not cooperate and continue to allow their animals to roam freely.
“My community is stubborn, and that is why they allow their animals to roam freely and enter and leave the airport. Therefore, if they are found, just get rid of them,” he said.
He said that when animals enter the airport, the situation causes serious disruption and could pose a risk if an accident occurs.
“The authorities continue to cooperate with the community to resolve this situation, particularly regarding the raising of animals and allowing them to roam freely,” Madohi Village Chief Cristo said.Meanwhile, Madohi Village has a population of around 17,000 people across seven hamlets.
