POLICE in the capital’s Dangkor district have captured 12 cows that were roaming “anarchically” and disrupting traffic, local officials said yesterday.

Dangkor district governor Kit Sopha said he had ordered police to arrest eight wayward cows on Saturday and another four on Sunday. The bovines are being detained at the My Chance Centre, a drug rehabilitation facility in the city’s Sen Sok district.

“This is not the first time we have cracked down on roaming cows,” Kit Sopha said.

He added that the animals had been detained in connection with the Kingdom’s Land Traffic Law, which prohibits animals from “walking in a disorderly manner on a public road”. Their owners must now write letters to City Hall in order to get their animals back, he said.

In March, police in Dangkor district detained 15 cows and bulls after a spate of incidents in which lustful bulls had vigorously pursued potential mates, disrupting traffic and endangering passersby. Local officials said at the time that seven of the animals were to be slaughtered and used to feed troops stationed at Preah Vihear temple.

Yin Kea, deputy department chief of Dangkor district, said wild livestock had proved a consistent problem.

“Authorities have repeatedly informed cow raisers not to allow their animals to roam because it can cause traffic accidents, congestion and public disorder,” Yin Kea said.