SPCA rescues pony from burden in Kensington
SPCA inspectors seized a pony in Kensington after it was found pulling a scrap-laden cart weighing more than three times its body weight. The animal is now receiving care at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Image: Supplied
CHARGES are expected to be laid against suspects in terms of the Animals Protection Act after they were caught vas pulling a maer pony who was wheeling a load three times its body weight.
The neglected pony was rescued by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA after it was found pulling a cart loaded with a car shell and heavy scrap metal in Kensington.
The incident occurred on 22 January, while SPCA Inspector Julian van der Zandt was on standby with the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement
Animal Control Unit ahead of the execution of an unrelated warrant in the area. While waiting for additional officers, the team noticed the pony struggling to pull the swaar waentjie – estimated to be more than three times the animal’s body weight – and immediatey intervened.
Van Der Zandt said: “The load this pony was forced to pull posed an immediate and serious risk to its life. No animal should ever be made to haul that kind of weight, especially in an urban environment.”
Inspectors found the pony to be underweight, with its ribs visible, but said the most serious concern was overloading.
The SPCA said the conditions constituted a clear contravention of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, as well as the SABS SANS Code for Animal-Drawn Carts, which exists to protect working equines from overloading, neglect and poor equipment.
Further compounding the cruelty, inspectors found the pony’s hooves to be in an extremely poor condition, indicating prolonged neglect and a lack of routine care.
“Hoof neglect is incredibly painful and can lead to permanent damage,” Van Der Zandt said.
“In working animals, it often means ongoing suffering with every step.”
Given the severity of the situation, the pony was seized and transported to the SPCA’s Horse Care Unit for a veterinary assessment, proper nutrition and corrective hoof care.
SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham told the Daily Voice that charges will be laid and that suspects could face a fine or imprisonment, explaining: “
Abraham said: “We are awaiting the vet’s report in order to open a docket at SAPS. Offenders may face a fine of up to R40 000 and/or 12 months’ imprisonment. A conviction also results in a criminal record.”