Working horse and cart impounded
The Garden Route SPCA has reacted to social media posts claiming that a horse used to pull a heavily laden cart is underfed and thin. Residents claimed the cart is in poor condition, which puts extra strain on the animal. The horse was taken into the care of the SPCA after it was assessed by SPCA inspectors. Its diet has been enhanced and its general health attended to. The cart has been impounded and will only be released once it complies with municipal by-laws, as well as with South African Bureau of Standards (Sabs) and SPCA standards.
A municipal permit to operate a horsedrawn vehicle must be obtained by the owner and he will be advised by the SPCA Inspectors and Education Unit about the laws to be adhered to, as well as acceptable tack, treatment and feeding of the horse and the regular maintenance needed to be done to the cart. Regular inspections of the horse and the cart will be made in future to ensure the owner complies with these legal and moral obligations.
Read more on the by-laws that have to be adhered to as far as working horses are concerned at www.georgeherald.com.
- Wendy Jones, Garden Route SPCA volunteer