The Sandton SPCA conducted a raid of an illegal chicken abattoir in Hillbrow following a proactive inspection in the area.
The society’s inspectorate discovered the illegal chicken abattoir. According to senior inspector Jaco Pieterse, general manager of the Sandton SPCA, many chickens were found in a dark and dingy basement.
“No food or water was provided for the chickens and lack of ventilation resulted in a strong ammonia smell inside the building,” said Pieterse.
“The illegal abattoir was operating from the basement whereby the chickens are slaughtered without being rendered unconscious or rendered insensible to pain by means of pre-stunning, as is required by the Meat Safety Act 40 of 2000,” said Pieterse.
He added that any establishment that slaughtered meat for commercial human consumption must be registered as an abattoir.
“This operation is not registered as an abattoir and are selling the meat to the public of Hillbrow. Not only is this illegal but a health risk as the chickens were slaughtered in an unhygienic and dirty environment.
“The chickens that we rescued come from the poultry industry. They were all [end-of-lay chickens] and were disposed of by farmers when they have reached the end of their production. The farmers could not care where these animals end up as long as they make the last bit of money out of them by selling them to street vendors and hawkers.”
Pieterse said the Sandton SPCA cared about all animals and no animal deserved to be subjected to cruelty.
“If animals are being sold or slaughtered then this must be done in a humane manner and according to legal requirements.”
He thanked the Roodepoort SPCA, Metro police, City of Johannesburg Environmental Health Department and the State Veterinary Services for their assistance with the raid.
“The Sandton SPCA will be laying criminal charges of animal cruelty against the culprits in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.”
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