Injured cow struck by vehicle euthanised

A COW laying helplessly near the road with a broken leg for days, highlighted the critical shortage of manpower and resources available to the SPCA to alleviate the suffering of cattle when the owner does not take action or cannot be traced.

Richards Bay inspector Shelley Prinsloo says they must act and adhere to the Animal Protection Act, but practical implementation is an uphill battle, such as in this case.

‘We experience the suffering of animals daily in the line of duty and it’s absolutely heart-breaking, but we assure the public we leave no stone unturned to save an animal or put it out of suffering.’

She was reacting to a report by a business owner in Bauxite Bay about the distressed and injured cow with a calf on Monday afternoon.

The cow was struck by a vehicle and her calf was with her.

Inspector Wynand Strauss attended to the scene immediately, but was unsure if it was so severely injured that it ought to be destroyed.

Strauss made several calls to Empangeni and state vets for a medical assessment, but received no answer anywhere.

He then forwarded a whatsapps, hoping they could judge the animal’s condition based on his photos.

The state vet said the animal should be destroyed, but as there was no physical examination, he contacted the pound to help.

Check-up
They were not in the area and could not assist, so he ensured water was provided for the animal and checked on it at 8pm.

On Tuesday morning, Strauss returned, but despite all efforts, no vet was available for call-out.

The owner had meanwhile been contacted and he removed the calf, but the injured animal was left behind.

When Strauss and Prinsloo, accompanied by the pound, returned on Tuesday afternoon, the owner arrived and refused that the animal be destroyed.

‘We were four adults of reliable and sound judgment, but could not make an assessment about its condition.’
The decision was made more difficult because of the calf.

‘The owner said he would take responsibility,’ says Prinsloo.

‘Knowing we were unable to get a vet out, we issued him a 24-hour warning for a vet to treat the animal and thereafter to keep it under supervision and proper care.

‘He also had to furnish proof of treatment.’

Still not satisfied that they’ve done their best, the inspectors finally managed to arrange a vet on Wednesday.

At the time of going to print, the inspectors and state vet were on the scene with the owner.

‘We are all very emotional – we are in the process of making a decision,’ said Prinsloo when the Zululand Observer phoned her.

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