Members of the Westonaria, Roodepoort and National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) were stoned by community members after coming to the rescue of over 3 000 chickens.
The rescue operation took place on Tuesday, 3 January on the N12 between Lenasia and Westonaria, when a truck carrying chickens overturned.
During the rescue it was found that many of the chickens were so badly injured they had to be humanely euthanised to end their suffering.
The surviving chickens were transferred to another truck and were removed to safety.
While the rescue was in progress, bystanders became hostile to the extent of throwing stones and other projectiles at the rescue team, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and the police.
The team continued assisting the animals throughout the stone-throwing and fortunately none of them were harmed, although the NSPCA vehicle was damaged.
In addition to assisting the chickens, the team went to the farm to which the surviving chickens were taken, to make sure they were offloaded properly and with care. Unfortunately some sustained further injuries and as a result, they had to be euthanised as well.
The condition of the surviving chickens is still being monitored.
An investigation into the incident revealed that the chickens were end-of-breeder chickens. These chickens are used for breeding and once they have no further commercial use, they are packed into crates and sold to the informal market.
According to the NSPCA, these birds are usually handled inhumanely. The NSPCA is now calling on the general public for both moral and financial support to end the cruelty.
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