Since January, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA responded to more than 140 equine-related complaints and confiscated 10 animals across the City.
Also read: SPCA rescues panicked horse on M5 in Cape Town
Jaco Pieterse, SPCA chief inspector, says the organisation responded to 147 complaints relating to cruelty to horses, ponies and other equine animals for the year up to end-July. ‘The owners were found in contravention of the Animals Protection Act. Conditions vary from being tortured to being starved.’
More recent complaints received and responded to included Tafelsig, Schaapkraal and Macassar. Earlier this month, the SPCA rescued a horse on the M5 highway during rush hour traffic. The animal was discovered running in a panicked frenzy along the highway, trailing training equipment. It had a leg injury, and a bystander reportedly calmed it down. ‘We extend our heartfelt thanks to the members of the public who stopped to help, Cape Town Traffic Services, which closed the road enabling us to work safely as well as all the motorists on the M5 for the patience and consideration for a horse in trouble.’
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According to News24, the keeping of equine and working animals is governed by an animal-keeping bylaw. ‘The animals must have adequate space and access to protection or shelter against weather, among other things.’ says Pieterse. He adds that rescuing equine is expensive.
‘Equines are expensive to own and look after. With a majority of our cases we find people have equines but cannot care for them adequately because they do not have the resources, or in some instances do not have the knowledge to look after them. We then intervene and educate where we can, issue warnings to rectify any concerns and if there is no compliance, then we enforce the law and seize the animals. Those that need to be kept for duration of the court case will stay in our care until the matter is resolved, and those that we can rehome are placed for adoption. It all depends on the case.’
In the bylaw, equines (which include horses, ponies, donkeys and mules) are considered working animals. Due to this, any owner who wants to put to work an equine must apply to the City for a permit. To this end, only one permit may be issued per working equine.
As per the bylaw, ‘no person shall, by threats of violence or otherwise, rescue or attempt to rescue from the person or persons in charge thereof any working equine being lawfully brought to the pound, or shall rescue or attempt to rescue any working equine after such working equine has been lawfully impounded by an authorised official.’
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Also read:
SPCA forms exclusive group to garner support for horse care unit
Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA / Facebook
