Broken digger leads to animal burial nightmare for Port Alfred SPCA

A broken-down TLB has led to a nightmare situation at the Port Alfred SPCA, where the bodies of close to 20 animals are waiting to be buried.

Trenches just outside the perimeter of the SPCA property in Station Hill are used to bury animals euthanased or found dead. Because the SPCA is the main utiliser of the trenches due to the high volume of animals surrendered by local communities to be euthanased, they monitor the situation and report to the municipality three or four weeks before the trench becomes full.

But a broken-down TLB (tractor-loader-back actor, or digger) at Ndlambe Municipality means there has been a long delay and SPCA staff and supporters are becoming desperate.

“There are currently approximately 16 bodies lying above the ground,” SPCA administrator Forbes Coutts told Talk of the Town. “By the end of next week that number will probably be 40.

“We have been in contact with [Ndlambe officials] telephonically and via Whatsapp for more than two months, with no results.”

Children from Station Hill play in the vicinity of the piled-up bodies, which are a growing health hazard.

“We will be hiring a TLB so that we can go and assist the SPCA,” Ndlambe spokesperson Cecdil Mbolekwa said.

TOTT also sought clarity on the relationship between the SPCA and the municipality, particularly where the responsibility of each organisation starts and ends; and what agreements the municipality has with the SPCA when it comes to dealing with a) dead and/or injured animals in the municipal area; b) strays in the municipal area; and whether there are other services that Ndlambe provides to the SPCA, either for free or at a rebated rate.

We will report on these further once we have a response.