THE Empangeni SPCA says it will be cracking down on illegal animal transport after three incidents over the weekend.
SPCA senior inspector Roland Fivaz was called to the Engen Garage on Main Road in Empangeni on Sunday afternoon after a passerby took pity on four cattle being transported in unsuitable conditions.
‘Not only was the vehicle, a trailer, not designed to carry the load, but animals of different sizes and animals that are horned and dehorned cannot be loaded together,’ Fivaz said.
The cattle in question were on their way to Hluhluwe in a trailer during the hottest part of the day.
Fivaz personally oversaw the cattle being unloaded and put onto a more suitable vehicle before sending them on their way.
‘But this in not a once-off, it is a regular occurrence in Zululand. All animal transport is monitored within reason, and on this particular day we received three calls regarding similar problems,’ he explained.
‘We are currently clamping down on the illegal transport and handling issues,’ he said.
‘But it’s found the fault is not just with the owners or transporters, but also with the farmers, vendors and stockyards that sell and/or load the animals.
‘They need to realise that they are also responsible under Sections (q) and (r) of the Animals Protection Act.’
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