SPCA and others will open case of cruelty

SECUNDA – The kitten that was kicked against a wall by two boys, suspected to be nine and 10-years-old, is safely recovering at Ms Nicolette van Zyl, founder of the non-profit organisation, Feral Watch TNR’s home.

The kitten, a white male, was abused on Tuesday, 1 January at Coron Park flats. A resident at the block of flats saw the two boys kicking the kitten. They ran away when she shouted at them.

She chased them, but they managed to run away from her. She then reported the incident to the management team of Coron Park, as well as Feral Watch TNR.

Ms Van Zyl immediately attended to the incident and removed the little kitten from the block of flats.

“He is now eating by himself, but is still extremely scared of people and if you just move your hand too quickly, he runs away,” said Ms Van Zyl.

She also removed the other kittens from the litter and they are currently in her care.

The abused kitten will go to the vet again this week for a check up as he is still in a lot of pain.

“It will take some time for him to recover from these injuries,” said Ms Van Zyl.

The committee of Coron Park is now working with Feral Watch and the Highveld Ridge SPCA to sterilise the feral cats at Coron Park.

They are also in the process of opening a case of animal abuse and cruelty at the police. According to Mr Nick Strydom, chairman of the Highveld Ridge SPCA’s management committee, people can be charged for animal abuse and cruelty according to Act 71 of the law.

Ms Van Zyl said the community must be the voice for the voiceless and defenceless animals.

According to the resident, her neighbour saw the same boys walking around with sticks the day after they kicked the kitten.

“The other kittens were living inside a drain. Someone placed big cement blocks at both entrances of the drain and we suspect it might be the same boys or even an adult that wants to drown the kittens,” said the resident.
“When we saw this, we removed the cement blocks,” added the resident.