Rising concern over livestock on N2

GEORGE NEWS - It's a nightmare that never ends. Free-roaming livestock, especially horses, on the N2 near Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu, is a grave concern. The problem has escalated over the past few years and the question on many lips is whether a solution will be found before someone dies.

Despite mounting concerns and residents looking at authorities for solutions, there seems to be no improvement. The dangers posed by these animals have been tragically highlighted twice in recent days.

On Wednesday 31 July, a police officer on his way to Cape Town collided with a horse on the highway at about 05:20. Miraculously, even with the bakkie completely written off, the driver survived without any serious injuries. The horse, however, was killed on impact.

On Monday morning the issue claimed more horses. A small truck transporting employees to work collided with a mare and her newborn foal as they crossed the highway. The impact was devastating: both horses were killed, the driver of the truck was critically injured, and at least 10 other passengers sustained moderate to serious injuries after the truck swerved into an oncoming Isuzu bakkie after colliding with the horses.

Read a related article: 10 horses killed on our roads this year

Horror scene

An eyewitness who coincidentally drove past both accident scenes described the horror of the scene to George Herald on Monday morning.

"Both the scenes were horrific," said Laurell Pelser.

"Like something out of a bad dream. Monday's mare was still alive for a while after the accident, but when the SPCA arrived, she was dead. Her poor newly born foal was killed on impact. It was a horrible thing to see and if it was that bad for me, who knows what the images would do to a child?"

Calls for action have intensified, with some residents suggesting the confiscation of the horses. However, the lack of a clear solution has left the community frustrated.

"Something needs to be done before someone dies," said Pelser. "Does the municipality not have an empty piece of land where the horses from Pacaltsdorp could be kept safely in secure camps? I'm sure the people who care for their horses want them as safe as possible and will be more than willing to assist."

After George Herald's post about the accident on its Facebook page, readers were quite outspoken about their concerns. Read some of the comments elsewhere on this page.

The driver of the small truck had to be removed from the vehicle using the jaws-of-life.

Those who care

While many readers are quick to blame careless owners, there are indeed responsible horse owners in Pacaltsdorp who go to great lengths to care for their animals, often under challenging circumstances. Members of the Pacaltsdorp Riding Club (PRC) are acutely aware of the dangers and are doing everything in their power to protect their horses.

However, they face challenges of their own. Despite their dedication to caring for their animals, they regularly contend with theft of their fencing - and sometimes even the horses themselves. "This is an ongoing battle that we have to face every day," said a PRC member who wished to remain anonymous.

"We come home after work and, with bits of wire that we can find or afford, we mend our fences as best we can to keep our horses in their camps. We do this twice daily and the next morning we have to fix stolen fences again."

Members of the Pacaltsdorp Riding Club look after their horses well and this one is a shining example.

And it seems it's not only the theft of PRC's fences that s accelerating the issue.

It is no secret that the municipal fencing along the N2 is also constantly cut, broken and stolen, which makes it easy for horses and other animals to wander onto the N2.

The riding club is currently situated on empty municipal property on the outskirts of Pacaltsdorp and the members are desperate for a secure place to keep their beloved horses.

"The only way for us is if we can secure land on which to keep our horses. We don't want land for free, we are willing to rent it. We just want to have somewhere to build a livery yard for our horses and the others roaming around in Pacaltsdorp.

Then we can keep the horses off the streets and build something nice in Pacaltsdorp, something for the community and the youth of our area," said the club member.

Emergency services on the scene early on Monday morning.