Randburg SPCA to fight parrot case
NORTH RIDING – After 150 dead parrots were found on the premises of a parrot breeder, the breeder is taking the fight to court.
On 24 March the Randburg SPCA Inspectorate will be appearing in the South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg to oppose the urgent application brought by Antonius Gerhardus Meiring who seeks to have the birds that were seized from his property, returned.
“In January, birds which were found to be living in dirty, parasitic and undeniably offensive conditions were seized from the premises of the parrot breeder. One hundred and fifty dead parrots were found on the premises in what was described by the Randburg SPCA as a ‘horrific scene,” said Shiven Bodasing, Head of Inspectorate for the Randburg SPCA.
“We will not be swayed by the threat of litigation, we are mandated to afford robust protection to all animals, and these birds are deserving of nothing less, this does not deter us.”
The SPCA said that they are unchanged in their stance towards their mandate and objects as an organisation, and the unacceptably deplorable conditions under which birds were found upon the premises which house millions of rands worth of birds.
Bodasing said, “We find this very application to be bereft of any moral fibre. To institute these proceedings against an organisation dedicated solely to the protection of animals is completely against good morals.”
The applicant is currently facing charges of animal cruelty, and the criminal matter is currently being investigated by the South African Police Service.
The matter is being opposed vehemently by Advocates Quintin Steyn and Juliana Willemse and attorney Nathan van Zyl.
Bodasing said, “We would like to extend our gratitude to these sterling legal practitioners as well as Kruger Attorneys and Conveyancers Inc for dedicating much of their time and efforts to protecting these birds.”
Advocate Steyn said, “I am most grateful for the opportunity to be a conduit for those who are most vulnerable, so that I may be instrumental in safeguarding their welfare.”
Attorney Nathan van Zyl said that the Randburg SPCA will be opposing this application ferociously, adding, “This is a more than just a court case, it’s a matter of conscience and public awareness.”
Advocate Willemse added, “I will not allow an injustice to continue, whilst it’s in my power to make a difference. All living creatures are deserving of a voice, and I will be that for them.”
Bodasing concluded that the Randburg SPCA will not waiver in their efforts to ensure justice is done, nor will they be deterred by impending litigation. “We undertook to protect the interests of animals, and we will continue to do so.
“Every day we wear our blue cross logo, we carry with it the responsibility to uplift animals wherever we may encounter them and we must do so without falter.”
The Randburg Sun has approached Meiring for comment. An update will follow as it becomes available.
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