IN what an eyewitness described as ‘the worst cruelty to animals I’ve ever seen’, a vehicle fully laden with livestock overturned, killing six goats and one cow.
All animals are suspected to have been stolen.
The incident occurred just outside Jozini in the early hours of last Thursday morning.
After it overturned, the driver of the NRB registered Toyota Corolla, also suspected to have been stolen, fled the scene and is currently at large.
Jozini Mayor Bethuel Mthethwa was called to the scene and could not describe the cruelty he witnessed.
Jozini SAPS are investigating cases of vehicle theft and theft of animals.
‘Stock theft is an ongoing and extremely serious problem,’ said Nazareth Appalsamy from the Farm Animal Protection Unit of the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA).
‘With it comes additional issues, including how the animals are immobilised, often by slashing their hamstrings, which is barbaric and extremely painful to say the least.’
Appalsamy said the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 is the appropriate legislation in terms of animal cruelty, however one could also utilise the national standard which is SANS 1488: Humane transportation of livestock by road.
‘What we have in this instance is a multiple offense and, as often happens, it is the animals who suffer and subsequently die.’
‘The police are not obligated to contact the SPCA in the area, but they frequently do and most SPCAs have very good relationships with the police.
‘In this instance, however, there is no SPCA in the area’.
The contact details of the investigating officer were passed on to Appalsamy, who said the solution would be for the NSPCA to guide and work with the local SAPS.
