AGRICULTURE NEWS - On behalf of organised local agriculture, the chairperson of the Outeniqua Agricultural Association, Bossie Terblanche, strongly condemned the man who dumped several dead calves on the pavement of Thembalethu’s main street on Saturday 9 May.
A video recorded by a resident shows a man unloading several dead young calves from a bakkie with a CAW registration number, throwing them onto a heap on the busy pavement one by one, to the shock of the bystanders.
The animals were later removed by the municipality, using a front-end loader.
Terblanche said the calves’ owner should be held accountable. “How can he justify his actions? Would he drive into a golf estate to dump dead animals there? In light of the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, his actions are equally unacceptable and strongly condemned by organised agriculture. The calves could also have had other diseases.”
Terblanche said the owner appears to be a “weekend farmer” with no agricultural knowledge or background. “Such a person lives in town and rents a piece of land from someone. He decides to buy and raise a few calves, but has no agricultural knowledge, and there is no legal oversight. Those of us in organised agriculture are subjected to extremely strict monitoring by health authorities and the SPCA. There is no way a farmer in organised agriculture would make themselves guilty of such conduct.”
According to Sue Noakes, the Garden Route SPCA’s (GRSPCA) George branch’s manager, the findings so far indicate that the calves had died mainly of exposure.
“In the dairy industry, bull calves are taken away from their mothers shortly after birth, which leaves them vulnerable. When they do not have adequate shelter, among other things, it can have a direct impact on their already compromised immune system. Further changes in their environment, such as bad weather conditions, can play a direct role in their welfare.”
Some of the live calves right after arriving at the SPCA. Photo: SPCA
She said the owner of the calves was identified and fined by the George Municipality’s law enforcement division, but that the GRSPCA is still conducting its investigation within the framework of the Animals Protection Act. “We can confirm that the calves did not die due to foot-and-mouth disease.”
Eight live calves were removed from the farm for care, shelter and monitoring, and the owner has since decided to sign them over to the SPCA. They were treated for, among other things, diarrhoea. However, one was too weak and had to be euthanised.
Noakes said the GRSPCA is also currently involved in the prosecution of an animal cruelty case in Albertinia that was opened after complaints were received about the welfare of bull calves on an abandoned property. Some were found dead and others severely compromised.
“We thank the public who bring any animal welfare matters to our attention and ask that any complaints, especially regarding young animals, immediately be reported to our emergency number, 082 378 7384.”
A Thembalethu resident, Entile Nomzamo, was one of many expressing shock and anger on George Herald’s Facebook page. “It’s so disturbing to see such blatant disrespect for black lives and township residents. The fact that someone thought it was OK to leave these animals here, possibly for consumption, is unacceptable.”
A screenshot from a video shot by a bystander of law enforcement officials removing the calves.
George Municipality confirmed that Law Enforcement officers removed the carcasses in accordance with the applicable municipal by-laws governing the disposal of animal carcasses, including the by-law on streets, sidewalks and public places. "As this is a sensitive matter, no further details can be provided at this time," said the municipality.
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