Update

GEORGE NEWS - An adult horse and a foal had to be euthanised after being hit by a vehicle in Aloe Street, Pacaltsdorp, in the early hours of Tuesday 20 October, once again placing the focus squarely on the ongoing danger of free-roaming horses on our roads.

The Garden Route SPCA’s (GRSPCA), branch manager, Sue Noakes confirmed that the organisation had received a call from the fire department at 01:49 reporting that two horses had been hit by a vehicle. 

“An SPCA field officer immediately responded and found both animals lying on their sides, unable to stand, bleeding and in extreme distress. They had sustained severe injuries, including suspected broken limbs,” said Noakes.

Several horses next to the road had allegedly been startled by the vehicle and ran across the road. No owner or caretaker was present.

The field officer had spent considerable time searching for the remaining horses, but could not find them.

Reports claiming that the horses’ throats had been deliberately slit were brought to George Herald’s attention. However, these could not be confirmed by the time of going to press.

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Years of accidents and warnings

This tragedy is the latest in a long history of collisions involving free-roaming horses in Pacaltsdorp and on the N2.

A search of George Herald’s online archives identified at least 11 reports and follow-ups on horse-related vehicle collisions and efforts to address the problem since 2023.

In June 2023, two horses were killed in separate collisions in Hibiscus Street and Beach Road within hours of each other. At least two people sustained serious injuries.

In August 2024, the GRSPCA confirmed that 10 horses had already been killed on George’s roads that year, most of them after being struck by vehicles on the N2.

The incidents continued in 2025. In May, another horse was killed on the N2 near Pacaltsdorp, while in August, a horse was euthanised following a collision in Beukes Street that left a 19-year-old driver injured.

Just days later, on 15 August, another horse was killed when a Volkswagen Polo struck it on the N2 between the Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp bridges.

In June this year, a Knysna couple narrowly escaped serious injury when their vehicle collided with two horses on the N2 near the York Street/Pacaltsdorp turn-off. Both horses died.

What has been done?

By July, the GRSPCA had responded to 144 incidents involving free-roaming livestock and motor vehicle accidents over three years.

George Municipality said the law enforcement officers lacked the specialised equipment and expertise required to safely capture large animals. 

The municipality acknowledged operational shortcomings in dealing with roaming livestock and announced plans to appoint a specialised service provider to assist with impoundment and animal control. Plans were also announced to improve the municipal pound facilities.

A media enquiry regarding the progress of this project has been sent to the municipality. Feedback will be published as soon as it is received.

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