INSPECTORS of animal welfare organisation, the SPCA, were forced to humanely end the suffering of a cow on Thursday morning after it had been stuck inside an exposed Birdswood manhole for about three days while its calf managed to stay alive grazing nearby.
The calve, now named Baby Moo, was taken to the Empangeni SPCA where it is currently recovering from severe malnutrition, dehydration, tick bites and mange.
City of uMhlathuze Municipality’s waste management department retrieved the carcass at 1pm on Friday to bury it at the uThungulu regional landfill site the same day.
The incident highlighted both the problem of cattle grazing in residential and industrial areas as well as the incessant theft of manhole covers for scrapyards.
‘Cattle should not be grazing in residential zones in the first place and manhole covers being stolen pose serious danger to children and residents running or cycling,’ said Richards Bay SPCA inspector, Shelley Prinsloo.
‘Cattle owners should be far more vigilant and ensure their animals remain in their area under the constant supervision of a herder.
‘This is for the safety of both motorists and animals.’
Just days ago, a reader wrote a letter, featured in the Zululand Observer’s Monday edition, stressing the danger of cattle wandering the streets.
‘Why wait for someone or the cow to die before taking animals to a safer place? Please take action!’
Empangeni SPCA inspector Roland Fivaz noted that the municipality should fine owners of unmarked cattle and for herding them in suburban areas.
‘Both the Animal Identification Act and the KZN Provincial Pound Act clearly states that all cattle must be registered and branded.
‘And our municipal bylaws clearly state that cattle are not allowed in suburbs.’
In a letter addressed to the City of uMhlathuze Municipality on Friday morning, Empangeni SPCA Vice-Chairperson, Cheryl Whittaker also stated the borough is not taking charge of confiscating carcasses.
‘No one is taking responsibility for the removals and all are arguing that it is the SPCA’s responsibility.
‘This is not so – as per the municipal bylaws, the health or waste management departments should be doing this if the locals have not already removed it.’
