SPCA warns farmer
Farmer tries to sell injured bull at auction and bumps heads with the law.
The SPCA on Wednesday gave a local farmer a written warning after he tried to sell an injured bull.
Janette Muller, inspector for the Randfontein and Westonaria SPCA said, “We do inspections at cattle auctions to make sure that the loading and off loading process goes according to the Animal Protection Act.
“As I went about my inspection as per usual I noticed one of the bulls in the holding’s horns were broken off and were bloody.
“The bull was removed from the holding where all the other cattle were and was taken to a place where I could be alone.”
Muller wanted to carry out an emergency slaughter as the animal was in pain but waited to get a second opinion from a veterinarian.
According to the Animal Protection Act number 71 of 1962, she is allowed to do an emergency slaughter of a badly injured animal. The veterinarian then decided against the emergency slaughter due to the animal not being severely injured.
Muller proceeded to talk to the owner, Isaac Grond who said, “The bull was aggressive when we began transporting it. It moved back and forth in the trailer so we tied the horns after struggling for a while.”
According to Muller the way in which the farmer tied the bull was incorrect.
“Farmers cannot tie the horns of a bull. It will cause injury to the animal.”
She gave him a written warning in which it stated that injured animals cannot be sold and that the owner needs to provide proper treatment for the injuries within 24 hours after the fine has been issued.
