Neighbours stir up a sheep storm in Essenwood

A STORM has erupted between neighbours in Linden Road, Essenwood over a number of sheep that are being kept on a property in the area.

Neighbours have accused the owner of the property of disregarding the municipal by-laws and putting their health at risk. However, the owner has claimed it is his constitutional right and pointed out that the sheep are being under good conditions.

“It’s our constitutional right and we have permission to keep them here. The Department of Agriculture, SAPS and the Metro Police were all here, they saw that all the sheep are in good condition. We will be sorting out the smell that the neighbors have been complaining about. There won’t be any sheep slaughtered on the property, we only do this once a year as part of Eid Muburak,” he said.

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Eid-al-Fitr is the last day of the holy month of Ramadan, marking an end to a month-long observance of fast from dawn to dusk.

In Islam there are two Eids – Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. On Eid al-Adha, or commonly known as Bakr-Eid or “sacrifice feast”, sheep or goat are sacrificed and later, their meat is distributed in three parts, among family, friends and the poor. On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims break the fast they had been observing for a month in order to feel closer to their god.

According to the SPCA, the property has been checked by their Inspector twice.

At the time of going to print, 60 sheep were being held on the property, less than the 100 that were initially being held. The SPCA confirmed that all sheep are in good condition and that proper food, shelter and water had been provided for the sheep and it had no welfare concerns.

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Lindsey Concer, Marketing Manager at the SPCA said the organisation dealt largely with animal welfare concerns, but said there were no concerns for the sheep currently on the property.

“The Health Department deals with the permitting and our inspector has been informed that City Health will be visiting the property.”

Meanwhile, ward 27 councillor Martin Meyer said that he is aware of concerns raised by neighbours and had reported it to the relevant departments.

“Morningside-Greyville is a wonderfully mixed area. All cultures and religions are to be found in our little part of the city and for the most part we all live in harmony. There at times when differences can lead to conflict. I respect all cultures and religions in our ward and personally think our differences strengthen us as a community. However, we all live under the same laws in the country and city and we must all respect and uphold those laws,” he said.

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