Acting on complaints received from the public, the Boksburg SPCA team descended on Bokkie Park to inspect the condition of the animals and livestock kept in the facility.
This came after a concerned resident contacted the Advertiser and complained that the animals housed in the council-owned facility were being subjected to terrible conditions.
The complainant, who claimed she had experienced the situation first hand, said some of the animals, including a goat and a peacock, have suffered injuries. One peacock suffered from an apparent twisted leg.
“A goat has small kids, but she is all swollen and her tummy area was bleeding,” said the resident.
The complainant further alleged there is a pig and its young piglets that had been left helpless on the filth where the mother breastfeeds.
“The babies were feeding. But there was no food. The streams and ponds it seems are polluted. The water in some enclosures that was meant for animals to drink had worms.
“Not a single worker or supervisor was seen at any point throughout the park. It is really sad and a shame to see this. What a waste of what could be a beautiful park,” said the complainant.
The SPCA pointed out that although inspectors found that the animals themselves appear to be in good condition, they found that certain parts of the facility, including the section where the water collects, present a health problem to the animals.
After the inspection, SPCA immediately issued the metro a written warning to rectify the identified welfare concerns in its facility.
Metro responds to Bokkie Park claims
According to the metro spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, there is no peacock with an injured and twisted leg at the park; however, there is a wild Egyptian goose with broken legs. Dlamini pointed out that several attempts were made to catch the goose, but without success.
With regard to the goats with small kids, Dlamini said the facility has two goats that have given birth recently.
“We have four Saanen goats, of which one gave birth on August 28 and another one gave birth to twins this week. Saanens are milk goats and after giving birth, they will have more milk than usual, and the udder will be bigger than usual.
“Animals do have some bleeding from the vulva after giving birth, not from their tummy. It is not bleeding, but part of the process where the animals shed the afterbirth.
“The goat has been separated from the rest of the herd and will be kept in isolation for the next couple of days.
“As for the pigs, all the animal sheltering under the roof are lined with bedding material (hay). The remainder of the camp is open for roaming, as animals also need vitamin D from sunlight. All our animals are fed twice daily, in the morning and afternoon.
“The sows with piglets have been separated from the rest of the animals, but it should also be noted that pigs are social animals and do live in droves.”
On the subject of the state of the environment, the metro said it has been sharing information with the SPCA for the past three weeks about the condition of the dam water.
Regarding the said absence of workers and neglect, the metro said instead of the normal six workers, the facility is, due to Covid-19 restriction, down to four workers per day. Two workers collect fresh vegetables from nearby farms and two workers clean and feed the animals.
“The Bokkie Park is about 50 hectares big, and to spot two workers working inside the shelters can be difficult,” said Dlamini.
According to the NSPCA, the organisation’s objectives is to serve and protect all animals, to uplift their welfare and to ensure the protection they have under South African law is upheld and respected.
To report a cruelty incident call the Boksburg SPCA on 011 916 5907/7 during office hours, or call 083 763 6311 for all after hours emergencies.
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