Old Macdonald, now officially named Frodo, was rescued by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in 2022. At the time of his rescue, Frodo’s life was marred by torment caused by relentless coercion from a group of children who subjected him to forced ‘rides’ and brutal beatings when he could no longer comply.
His life, however, has undergone a remarkable transformation. The place he once called home, which was marked by suffering, has been replaced by a haven of safety, affection and attentive care. The days of neglect and abuse are long gone, making room for an abundance of nutritious food, meticulous grooming and ample space to explore and roam.
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The Cape of Good Hope SPCA received a complaint in December 2022 from a concerned Robinvale resident about children riding a pony in Atlantis. The children were said to be riding the pony up and down the street at all hours of the day and night. When the pony had had enough and refused to move, the children began beating it, forcing it to ride.
Residents of Atlantis had had enough of the abuse and sought help from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Senior Inspector Wayne Hector, who covers the Atlantis area, was quickly dispatched to investigate the incident. Wayne was driving down the road where the incident was reported when he came across the pony surrounded by children. When the children saw the SPCA vehicle, they scattered and fled, leaving the exhausted pony by the side of the road.
As the children fled, Wayne jumped out of his vehicle and safely secured the pony. Residents began to emerge from their homes to see what was going on, and some jumped in to help Wayne with the rescue mission.
A neighbour kindly allowed Wayne to keep the pony in her backyard until a horsebox from Grassy Park arrived.
A man claiming to be the pony’s owner approached Wayne while he was still waiting for his colleagues to arrive with a horsebox. Wayne immediately served him with a seizure notice.
Finally, assistance arrived, and Wayne and Gugu safely loaded the pony, whom at the time they named Old Macdonald, into the SPCA horsebox and headed to Grassy Park’s SPCA Horse Care Unit.
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After Old Macdonald spent some time at the SPCA Horse Care Unit, where he was given a special diet and a warm place to sleep, Jess Roode stepped forward to offer him a wonderful home.
Jess Roode is an experienced horse enthusiast with a deep love and appreciation for these gentle giants.
For the abused pony, the concept of ‘home’ underwent a profound transformation.
The place he once called home, where he experienced immense suffering, has now transformed into a sanctuary filled with safety, affection and diligent care, and the dark shadow of abuse has faded away, making room for his wonderful new life.
And he’s now officially known as Frodo!
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA said that the remarkable transformation of Frodo serves as a powerful reminder that animal rescue is a collaborative effort.
Frodo has been given the gift of a new beginning thanks to the generosity of donors, caring community members and people like Jesse Roode.
The organisation expressed gratitude for the opportunity to witness such miracles, as well as for everyone fighting animal cruelty alongside them.
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
