GEORGE NEWS - A total of 10 horses have been killed on roads in George since the beginning of the year. Most of these were hit by vehicles on the N2. 

"Often our inspectors have to euthanise the horses when they arrive on the scene and are faced with suffering," says Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) area manager Cheri Cooke. 

"This is traumatic to both the animal, as well as our inspectors, the public and traffic officials who are always there to assist us."

Cooke says they have appealed, and are appealing once more, to the municipality and law enforcement to step in and take action to prevent further incidents.

"We are committed to working with the municipality on all animal-related matters. As the SPCA, we will try to be of assistance in any way possible, however, we are not able to enforce the municipal by-laws. It is only a matter of time before someone is killed in one of these accidents. We are willing to assist with micro-chipping and gelding, but we need the by-laws to enforce this," says Cooke.

Following the latest incident on the N2 where a mare and her foal were hit and killed by a small truck, Cooke has again reached out to the municipality to see how the issue of free-roaming animals in suburban areas and near the highway can be resolved.

"An owner of any animal is responsible for ensuring that the animal is safe at all times. Pet owners are required, by law, to ensure that their animals are confined and are out of danger. It should be no different for large animals, especially in a densely populated area - both the animals and the community are at risk," says Cooke.

In the latest incident, a mare and her foal were hit and killed on the N2 near Pacaltsdorp.

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