GRAPHIC CONTENT: Gruesome discovery leads to SPCA investigation
PLEASE NOTE THAT GRAPHICS MIGHT OFFEND SENSITIVE READERS The Springs SPCA sent their team to the scene and confirmed the illegally dumped carcasses (animals euthanised by the SPCA) were collected by the municipality’s waste disposal services.
What was supposed to be a routine patrol for Darren Vlaming from the Daggafontein CPF Ext 2 turned into an encounter with animal carcasses illegally dumped in a field near Daggafontein on Friday morning.
Vlaming decided to take the route to the N17 highway and said he was patrolling the area, looking for any criminal activity.
“As I was driving near the open field, I saw a small dog lying in a heap of rubbish, which looked odd to me, so I stopped to look,” said Vlaming.
“I glanced around the rubbish heap and discovered more dogs and a cat lying between the black bags. That was when I realised the animals were dumped there.”
After the gruesome discovery, he contacted the Springs SPCA for them to assist.
Representatives from the SPCA who arrived at the scene found that the dumped carcasses belonged to them.
Upon further investigation, they found two more carcasses seemingly dumped long ago.
Mandie Foreman, the operations supervisor at the Springs SPCA, was devastated when she saw them, citing that the incident posed a risk to the environment, animals and humans.
“It seems a municipality representative responsible for removing our skip decided it was easier to dump in a field than follow procedure and take the carcasses to a suitable burial site,” Foreman said.
“We are not responsible for this dumping.”
Foreman said they followed the correct procedure when euthanising the dogs.
“We euthanise dogs for the public on request and dogs in our care when they are not rehomeable, unwell, or when we no longer have kennel space.
“The municipality is then responsible for collecting the carcasses and taking them to a municipal burial ground, where they are supposed to be buried and covered with lime to prevent secondary health issues.
Also read: Springs SPCA embroiled in court case for animal cruelty against local breeder
“We have escalated the matter because this is unacceptable, and what happened here is against all health regulations and simply uncivilised,” she said.
The SPCA members rallied on Friday afternoon to collect the carcasses and return them to the facility.
“We could not leave the site like that. These animals deserve a proper burial and some dignity,” said Foreman.
To prevent such incidents in future, the SPCA said they would have representatives accompany the truck to the burial sites in Heidelberg.
Also read: Springs SPCA embroiled in court case for animal cruelty against local breeder
AfriForum’s Springs branch also raised its concerns in a statement, citing their consideration of legal action if the municipality did not fulfil its legal obligations.
Ekurhuleni Waste Management and Springs Solid Waste Depot officials were at the scene and said they would investigate the matter further.
We await comment from the CoE.
