Ticked off! - Melrose Mews under siege from roaming cows

Residents of Melrose Mews in Manchester have been grappling with a worsening crisis that threatens their health, safety, and peace of mind. At the root of their problem are cattle and goats that roam freely through the neighbourhood.

In addition to spreading ticks, the animals have been running through yards, tearing down fences and destroying fruit trees and other plants.

"I wish I could just pick up my house and move," a resident shared. "The cows and goats destroy our plants, break our fences, and leave ticks all over the place."

The land on which the community now sits was once used for grazing, but has transformed into a residential area in recent time. Despite the change in the name of the community, some farmers have refused to restrain their animals. And it's not just the backyards and verandahs that are under siege. The animals have also taken over the roads, creating dangerous conditions for motorists.

"When you drive at night, you have to be extremely careful because the cows will come out of nowhere. It's a hazard."

Even the children's play areas are under threat. One resident described how community parks, once spaces for recreation, are now dominated by tied-up cows.

"We have two parks here and they tie the cows in there, like it's a field. The cows mess up the place and the children are scared. So now the parks basically belong to the cows," a resident said.

"Right now, my skin is covered in scars from bites. We can't even sit on our verandah without checking ourselves afterwards and bathing in peroxide."

Adults who once enjoyed walking for exercise now stay inside out of fear.

"The terrain here is great for walking, but we've had multiple residents chased by cows. So, people are terrified and nobody even walks in the mornings anymore."

Despite multiple complaints to the police, the health department, and the parish council, residents say little has changed.

"We've done everything we can. When the police come, the owners deny that its their animal, so nothing comes out of it. But best believe that later in the night, you see the same animals tied up in their yard," one woman said.

Attempts to resolve the issue through meetings have failed miserably.

"They're never available when we try to meet. And if you try to talk to them one-a-way, they get aggressive and tell us that the cows were here before us, like that gives them the right to have them damage our homes and put our lives at risk."

One farmer, who has been repeatedly named by residents, has denied the accusations, insisting that his livestock are properly secured.

"My animals are always fenced in," he said angrily.

He said that a lot young farmers let their animals loose, and he often gets blamed.

"I am tired of it. Every time something happen, dem call my name and I am going to put a stop to it."

Now at their wits' end, the people of Melrose Mews are making a renewed appeal to the authorities to take decisive steps to curtail the problem.

"We're tired, we're frustrated, and we feel abandoned. We don't want any more tick bites, we don't want anyone to get sick. We just want to live in peace," one resident pleaded.