Cows roam the streets of Nesher • A sight that has become a nuisance and a safety hazard

(Hai Fa – Haifa and the surrounding area news corporation) Nesher residents repeatedly encounter cows and herds of cattle roaming freely on the city streets, near residential buildings, educational institutions, and even inside a cemetery. What sometimes seems like an amusing and unusual sight, arouses real concern among residents about traffic accidents, damage to property, and danger to passersby. The municipality claims that they are working with the responsible parties, but the phenomenon still continues.

Anyone who has been walking the streets of Nesher recently may have come across a sight you don't see every day. Cows and cattle roaming freely between the streets, near residential buildings, on sidewalks and sometimes even on the roads. For some passersby, this is a surprising encounter that brings a smile, but it is a worrying phenomenon that could end in disaster.

Although cattle grazing areas are not within the jurisdiction of an eagle, the cows do not seem to really consider municipal boundaries. For them, the streets, gardens, and public spaces are an integral part of their roaming area.

According to reports from residents, the cows were spotted in several locations throughout the city, including Givat Nesher, near Beit Landau, on Orach Chaim Street, as well as in the area of ​​Beit Yehoshua School, on HaKalaniyot and HaTashbi Streets. There were also cases of cattle entering the compound, roaming freely, and later exiting into the nearby streets at the Muslim cemetery on Kishon Street.

But beyond the unusual spectacle, residents point to a real danger. A cow that suddenly crosses a road or stands in the middle of a lane of travel may surprise drivers, cause a sharp deviation from the route and even lead to a traffic accident. The risk is especially significant on roads where vehicles are traveling at high speed, where an unexpected encounter with a large animal may result in serious injury.

Alongside the safety hazard, residents also complain about damage to gardens, seedlings and trees in public spaces, which are damaged as a result of cattle roaming.

Hana Yariv, who has encountered the stray cows more than once, says that she contacted both the police and the Nesher municipality about the issue. According to her, the authorities she contacted quickly arrived at the scene, but in practice not much could be done beyond contacting the pasture owner and asking him to take care of the issue and return the cattle to the pasture.

Thus, between another surprising encounter and fear of the next accident, the question remains who will take responsibility for the phenomenon, and whether a more fundamental solution is needed, one that will prevent cattle from entering the city streets in the first place.

The Nesher municipality responded: "The Nesher Municipality is working on an ongoing basis to address the phenomenon of cattle roaming in the city's areas, while carrying out enforcement actions and in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Israel Land Authority, with the aim of eradicating the phenomenon. As part of handling the issue, the municipality contacted the Haifa Regional Director at the Ministry of Agriculture, requesting immediate intervention and finding a solution to the phenomenon.

It is important to emphasize that the cattle grazing areas are not within the jurisdiction of the city of Nesher. However, in every case where a report is received of cattle entering the city area, the municipality works to contact the cattle owners and to remove the animals back to the grazing areas. The Nesher municipality will continue to work with all relevant parties in order to reduce the phenomenon and maintain the safety and well-being of the city's residents."