MADINAH – The presence of stray camels and an increasing number of animal enclosures (barns) within residential districts of Madinah has become a nightmare for residents of the holy city. Citizens have urged the mayoralty to take quick corrective measures against the negative phenomenon to prevent the spread of various diseases including MERS Coronavirus and asthma. "Stray camels have become the order of the day and nobody can question or harass such animals that move around the city peacefully and comfortably," Al-Madina Arabic daily said in an investigative report highlighting the issue that tarnishes Madinah's image. Citizens know barns inside the districts were established in violation of the law and a telling sign of official negligence. They fear it would contribute to the spread of contagious diseases. Al-Madina's camera has taken photos of stray camels in Khaleel district where a large number of them gather every day causing traffic problems. Some of them break into homes and block roads. Many others could be found near the Sheep Market and neighboring districts. Saleh Al-Hojaili said owners of barns do not keep them neat and tidy or spray insecticides to reduce their negative impact on the public. As a result barns have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and people have to close their doors and windows even in the sweltering summer season. "A nasty odor emanates from these enclosures, especially during the rainy season. This leads to contamination of the air and appearance of a large number of disease-carrying flies and mosquitoes. Many heads of sheep get out of their enclosures and destroy trees and flowers," he said. "The presence of these barns represents an uncivilized phenomenon that tarnishes the image of Madinah," Al-Hojaili told the Arabic daily. He called for shifting the barns to places outside the residential districts. Yousuf Al-Otaibi backed the proposal. Al-Otaibi and other citizens wanted the barns in Taibah district to be shifted to another place away from homes. He expressed his anguish over the mayoralty's inaction against the construction of barns inside residential districts. "At least the owners of barns should not allow their animals to stray outside causing various problems to the public," he added. Falah Al-Maghdouwi said people are afraid of stray camels as they believe they would spread the deadly Coronavirus in the city or block traffic. "We don't know the real owners of these animals." He urged the mayoralty to instruct owners of camels not to leave them to wander in the city. Nasser Al-Harbi highlighted the problems caused by stray camels. They get into our compounds and destroy cars and plantations. He asked why authorities were doing nothing to protect residents from such animals. This negligence may lead to the spread of infectious diseases, he explained. "Owners of camels should understand the danger posed by these animals to humans through Coronavirus," said Awad Al-Johani. "We have been watching camels straying in our neighborhood for the last several days. Their owners have left them to stray without bothering about its dangerous consequences," said Sami Al-Marwani. Sultan Al-Johani referred to the Health Ministry's warning that people's close dealings with camels could lead to contracting MERS-Coronavirus that has killed hundreds in the Kingdom.
