GEORGE NEWS - The deadly threat of free-roaming horses on the N2 and in Pacaltsdorp's residential streets has reached breaking point.

Another collision this week left a horse dead, a young driver injured, and residents accusing the municipality of failing to enforce its own by-laws.

George Municipality's Acting Director of Community Safety and Mobility, Lee-Anne Meiring, rejects that perception. 

"We recognise the serious risks these incidents pose to motorists, pedestrians and the animals themselves, and extend our sympathies to those affected by recent events," she says.

Meiring says law enforcement has been actively applying the regulations, with 79 roaming animals impounded over the past six months, including eight horses, 60 cattle, five goats and six donkeys, along the R102 and N2, and within residential areas. 

Between February and August, fines totalling R178 000 were issued for livestock found on municipal land without supervision.

The 19-year-old Jarod Terblanche slammed into a horse in Beukes Street at about 20:00 on Sunday night, 10 August, as he was returning home from a nearby shop. It was dark, and the streetlights on one side were out. The small Chevrolet bakkie, belonging to his mother, sustained damage worth tens of thousands of rands. 

Terblanche was taken to the hospital and later discharged. Due to its injuries, the horse had to be euthanised by the Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA), after which the animal's owners allegedly became hostile towards the inspectors, adding further risk to an already tense situation.

Terblanche, a second-year student at Africa Skills, has been booked off and will only return to his studies later.

"This is not the first time," said his mother, Jenoame Morrison. "Just weeks ago, another accident left a young boy fighting for his life. This morning, I saw seven horses roaming freely again. It's a ticking time bomb."

The call for action comes just days after Friday 1 August, when the five-year-old Christopher Junior Stander from Pacaltsdorp was kicked in the face by a horse in Crossandra Street while he and some friends were playing in the street. 

According to his mother, the horses are used to kids throwing stones at them. "When he bent down, the horse must've thought he was picking up a stone, got a fright and kicked him," she said.

Christopher suffered fractures to both eye sockets and his nasal bone. He has been discharged from the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town, but is expected to return for surgery in early September.

Under George Municipality's Impounding of Animals By-law, owners may not allow livestock, including horses, to roam freely in residential areas or on public roads.

SPCA pleads with municipality

The SPCA stresses that it operates within the confines of the Animals Protection Act and has no jurisdiction over municipal by-laws or road safety enforcement.

It has urged the municipality and provincial authorities again to act before more lives are lost.

"This is just another in a series of accidents in George in a matter of weeks, and part of an ongoing and dangerous pattern involving large free-roaming animals in high-speed zones and residential streets across George.

These incidents are not just animal welfare crises; they are serious public safety hazards," says the GRSPCA's regional manager, Cheri Cooke.

Christopher Junior Stander in the Red Cross Children's Hospital. Photo: Tonie Stander

What does the law say

Under George Municipality's Impounding of Animals By-law, owners may not allow livestock, including horses, to roam freely in residential areas or on public roads.

Animals found wandering may be impounded and their owners face fines and costs. Provincial law and the National Road Traffic Act further prohibit animals from being on or across highways such as the N2 unless under proper control.

Following the recent Beukes Street incident, another horse was impounded and a man was arrested for threatening municipal staff.

Meiring says enforcement occurs across the municipal area, not only in Pacaltsdorp, and stresses that animal owners must take responsibility to ensure their livestock does not roam freely.

Councillors speak out about free-roaming horses

Several councillors of the George Council, who directly service areas in Pacaltsdorp, recently shared their thoughts on the issue of free-roaming horses in the residential areas.

Horses and other livestock are part of Pacaltsdorp's deep-rooted history. "However, with the expansion of the town over the years, stray animals have become an increasing problem - not only for motorists, but also for pedestrians and especially our children," says Cllr Browen Johnson of Ward 23.

Although horse owners have the option to keep their animals in camp at the Pacaltsdorp Riding Club (PRC), many choose not to make use of the opportunity. 

"It is not always possible to locate the owners of free-roaming horses, which makes it difficult to enforce the by-law," says Cllr Theresa Jeyi of Ward 16.

The councillors said their thoughts and prayers go with the family of the five-year-old Christopher Junior Stander, who was kicked by a horse in Pacaltsdorp on 1 August. "We wish him a full and healthy recovery. The municipality is deeply saddened by what happened to Christopher and by all incidents in which residents are harmed by stray animals."

Fines and partnerships

Jeyi says the municipality is constantly engaging with the community to address the ongoing issue of free-roaming horses.

"We have partnered with the SPCA and the police to help track down the owners," she says. "For enforcement purposes and as a deterrent, fines are issued to owners of free-roaming horses. Unfortunately, this approach has limitations, since we cannot always identify and locate these owners."

Pacaltsdorp Riding Club

Johnson says he fought together with his colleagues, Jeyi, Marchell Kleynhans (Ward 27) and Melvin Roelfse (Ward 14), to have a portion of the commonage (Erf 325 west, behind the Pacaltsdorp sportsground along Olympic Drive) leased to the PRC for a nominal fee.

"This gives the PRC the opportunity to safely camp horses and to better supervise them," says Johnson, who fully supports the project. 

"The challenge remains, however, since many private owners refuse to place their horses in the PRC's enclosures - despite this being a free service offered by the club."

As the mayoral committee member of social development, Roelfse says he takes community participation seriously and emphasises the importance of the PRC in keeping horses safe and off the streets. Kleynhans shares this sentiment, saying besides the fact that the free-roaming horses pose a problem for the people, they can also be injured when out and about.

Roelfse says the PRC teaches life and self-development skills to the children in the community, helping them to care for the animals. "Local and international veterinarians help with the well-being of the horses at the PRC," he says.

Responsibility

Jeyi says animal owners must properly care for their livestock and remain aware of their animals' whereabouts at all times.

"Owning horses or other large animals requires adequate land and proper facilities to contain and care for them safely. These animals can cause serious injury to people and significant damage to property."

George Municipality urges all residents to ensure their livestock are properly tagged, contained and cared for. "The safety of our community depends on responsible animal ownership," says Jeyi.

Free-roaming horses in Pacaltsdorp are a common sight. A huge problem is that most of them are not sterilised and they keep breeding.

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