Calls grow for solution to cows grazing on rubbish

Cattle on Hungerford Common 'know when bins are put out'

CALLS are growing for a permanent solution to the problem of cows grazing on household rubbish.

Last week, the Newbury Weekly News reported how the cattle from the common in Hungerford have been raiding the bins of Down View residents.

Constable of the Town and Manor of Hungerford Ellie Dickins said residents should put their bins out at 7am on the morning of collection and added: “With bins being put out earlier than this, for example, the day before, the cattle came and had a forage.”

But one resident said this was not an answer, because the cattle appear to know what day of the week it is.

Down View resident Alison Valesoa Ialy has written to the Town and Manor, stating: “The cattle raids actually happen early in the morning.

“And this year’s cattle must be highly intelligent to learn what goodies await them on a Thursday morning.

“They seem to be able to count up to seven days as they don’t tend to be outside the cottages in the early morning on any other day of the week.”

She added: “A solution in the interim would be for the refuse collectors to spend a moment or two longer to pick up any rubbish that has been knocked out of the boxes and wheelie bins by the cattle.

“Two weeks ago they completely ignored multiple, virtually intact, full binliners lying beside knocked-over wheelie bins, leaving these for the cows to come back to later in the day to tear apart and make even more mess.”

However, the refuse contractor Veolia states on its website: “Please ensure your bin lid is closed and that there is no excess rubbish left next to the bin – we will not empty bins with open lids or side waste.”

Ms Valesoa Ialy went on: “I do appreciate the concerns about sending the large bin lorry down the unmade road, but this would be unnecessary if either a cattle-proof pen was erected to hold residents’ bins and boxes safely while awaiting Thursday collections.

“It just needs to be something to wedge them upright or, even more simply, a place could be designated for this use on the other side of the cattle grid.”

She called on the Town and Manor to come up with a “workable solution before the mess happens again or any of the beautiful cattle are made unwell”.

Mrs Dickins has said it is impractical for a large refuse lorry to safely negotiate its way to each household.

But she added that the Town and Manor is indeed considering a workable solution.

One option, she said, was installing a corral to keep the bins upright and prevent the cattle tipping them over.