Killing ‘must be humane’

The National Council of SPCAs is demanding only humane methods be used to cull chickens amid the bird flu outbreak, and vows to take legal action otherwise.

“If any methods cause the birds unnecessary harm, we will prosecute,” NSPCA executive director Marcelle Meredith said. “What is worse is that the NSPCA’s plea for humane culling of birds in the event that it reached South Africa has fallen on the deaf ears of government, the Department of Agriculture and the South African Poultry Association (Sapa). Therefore, no humane protocols were in place for the purpose of culling the birds. In fact, research into an acceptable method of culling is taking place on Friday.”

Although Sapa said chickens may be bled out, she said no blood may be spilt as it would spread the disease.

“Had the government and the Department of Agriculture acted responsibly and had a plan in place for the culling, as we requested, any form of suffering could have been avoided.

Subsequently, and without consultation from ourselves, companies have used a system called ventilation shutdown, causing the birds unthinkable suffering as the ventilation system is simply shut down.

“These companies have... in our opinion contravened the Animal Protection Act. Action will be taken by the NSPCA.”

While no further spread of the virus had been reported, it was still “early days”, he said.

Lovell previously put the number of chickens in South Africa that faced potential euthanasia at 140 million.

He added that there are moreover a “good million backyard birds” being kept by people from all walks of life .

He also said that wild ducks could not be followed, thus heightening the risk of the virus being spread.