GEORGE NEWS - Dead piglets lying around and some still alive were dragging their hind legs. This was the gruesome scene that met Garden Route SPCA inspector Henrico Pypers on Friday 3 August when he responded to a call regarding piglets that were allegedly brutally attacked by a young girl (6) on a farm in Syferfontein, Pacaltsdorp, the previous evening.
According to unconfirmed reports, other children from the area were also involved in this horrid act of cruelty, but the young girl was the only one found in the pig pen.
The young suspect was caught in the act by a neighbouring farmer who took her to the Pacaltsdorp police station. She was later released on a warning in the care of her parents.
"When I arrived on the scene there were 16 piglet carcasses lying all over and 15 piglets were dragging their hind legs to get to their food," Pypers said. The carcasses and other piglets were taken to the SPCA for post mortems and those who were alive received medical care.
A case of cruelty against animals was opened and is currently being investigated.
A mere week later SPCA field officer Vanessa Lucas went out to a similar complaint where she found six piglets. Three were dead and three were dragging their hind legs.
According to SPCA senior inspector Salomé Bruyns, this is most definitely one of the worst cases of cruelty they have ever had to deal with.
These piglets suffered a gruesome death.
The piglets that were still alive were taken to the SPCA for medical treatment.
The post mortem revealed that the piglets were brutally attacked with a blunt object. They had no external injuries.
Although there are similarities, police cannot confirm whether the two cases are linked. No arrests have been made.
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