UPDATE: Parrot Breeders Association member steps down following shocking bird deaths
JOBURG – Parrot cages were infested with large rats, and some enclosures were found to be obstructed with spider webs to the point where birds were unable to fly inside the enclosure and had to resort to climbing. More than 150 dead parrots were seen on the premises in what can only be described as a horrific scene.
UPDATE: 23 January 2020, 12.15pm
The Parrot Breeders Association of South Africa (PASA) has confirmed that Antonie Meiring, Vice-Chairperson of the association has resigned from the organisation.
On behalf of the PASA, Ben Minaar, Chairperson of the organisation, posted on its social media accounts a statement confirming the resignation.
Meiring is under investigation following the execution of a search and seizure warrant at his Farmall premises during which the Randburg SPCA, together with Douglasdale police, confiscated 20 animals, and found the decomposing carcasses of 150 parrots. Randburg SPCA’s Inspector Shiven Bodasing said, “One would expect that a member of the Parrot Breeders Association of South Africa, would comply with his own Code of Conduct and Code of Practice. This is a crime, the animals were found to be kept under offensive conditions, and we will be dealing with relevant role-players, as people must be held accountable for the negligence observed at the premises, no person is above the law, and it is my job to remind perpetrators of that.”
Minaar confirmed in a separate statement that the organisation was aware of the allegations and was investigating them as a matter of urgency.
“PASA has noted the current allegations made against Antonie Meiring with extreme concern. We are urgently investigating the matter and will provide feedback as soon as possible. We stand by our strict code of conduct applicable to all our members and will not tolerate any breach thereof by anybody associated with PASA,” read the statement.
This is a developing story. More information will follow as and when it becomes available.
Randburg Sun has reached out to Meiring for comment but has been unsuccessful at this stage. We will continue in our efforts and will provide feedback to our readers as soon as possible.
INITIAL REPORT: 22 January 2020, 2.28pm
A total of 20 animals in need of medical intervention have been seized by the Randburg SPCA after being kept in reportedly abhorrent conditions, by a prominent member of the Parrot Breeders Association of South Africa. This while 150 dead parrots were found on the same premises in what has been described as a ‘horrific scene’.
According to a statement issued by Inspector Shiven Bodasing of the Randburg SPCA, the Randburg SPCA Inspectorate executed a search and seizure warrant at Farmall, just outside Chartwell on 20 January, while accompanied by a Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinarian and members of the Douglasdale SAPS.
“It is an offence to keep any animal in a dirty or parasitic condition in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962,” said Inspector Theo Mahube of the Randburg SPCA.
“The inspectors and veterinarian found that there were animals kept upon the premises in dirty and parasitic conditions. Parrot cages were infested with large rats, and some enclosures were found to be obstructed with spider webs to the point where birds were unable to fly inside the enclosure and had to resort to climbing. The owner was found to be in possession of three lesser bushbabies, without being in possession of a permit. More than 150 dead parrots were seen on the premises in what can only be described as a horrific scene,” read the statement.
The matter is currently being investigated by the Randburg SPCA Inspectorate, and criminal charges will be laid against the owner, pending consultation with officers of the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and expert veterinarians.
The Inspectorate is currently dealing with senior management at the Parrot Breeders Association of South Africa (PASA), in which they hope disciplinary action shall be taken against the individual who is bound by the Code of Conduct and Code of Practice, promulgated by PASA.
“The conditions which these animals are forced to endure is nothing short of deplorable. I was shocked to witness over 150 dead parrots on the property. One would expect that a member of the Parrot Breeders Association of South Africa, would comply with his own Code of Conduct and Code of Practice. This is a crime, the animals were found to be kept under offensive conditions, and we will be dealing with relevant role-players, as people must be held accountable for the negligence observed at the premises, no person is above the law, and it is my job to remind perpetrators of that,” said Inspector Shiven Bodasing of the Randburg SPCA.
Randburg Sun has attempted to reach the member of the Parrot Breeders Association of South Africa involved in this case telephonically, as well as other members of the organisation in order to obtain comment, but has been unsuccessful at this stage. An update will follow as soon as comment is obtained.
