GEORGE NEWS - Oudtshoorn Dogs in Need's (ODIN) reach doesn't stop at four-legged animals.

Recently, on a scorching hot day, ODIN's general manager, Marelene Mennie, saved a bunch of chickens on her way to Swellendam.

According to her, the chickens were being transported in plastic crates on the back of a trailer. Some had fallen off the vehicle and were killed by passing traffic.

Mennie flagged the vehicle and called ahead to the Swellendam SPCA for assistance. Law enforcement was also alerted while Mennie followed the vehicle, sending live locations. The vehicle was stopped by the authorities and the chickens were removed from the containers. 

Sadly, some of the animals had already died.

The vehicle was found to be carrying 10 chickens per crate, a clear violation of animal welfare standards. 

The owner was instructed to purchase netting before being allowed to continue with the legal number of chickens in the crates, which is no more than five or six chickens per crate.

"Transporting animals in such an inhumane manner must be stopped, and we're grateful to the SPCA and law enforcement in Swellendam for taking immediate action," says Mennie.

A special thank you was extended to the dedicated team at the Swellendam SPCA, who face many challenges in their work but continue to perform admirably. 

"We understand their challenges, yet they do an amazing job."

About 10 chickens were stuffed into a crate.

The vehicle was pulled over by law enforcement officers.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’