Vistanews 20150702

Page 1

Die Goudveld se keuse sedert

1971

Restaurant

TEL: 057 352 5430/9 OR 084 503 7648, PRETORUISSTRAAT Accommodation DAGBREEK WELKOM

Wednesday Dinner – Chinese/Italian Buffet

since

Adults –

R49.95 Children – u/10 R20.00

Sunday Lunch Full Buffet

The Goldfields' Choice

Adults –

R49.95 Children – u/10 R20.00

Pizza Special (Only Monday-Friday)- Medium

Wenner van die ATKV-mediaveertjie 2012 vir beste streekkoerant in Suid-Afrika TEL (057) 357 1304

DONDERDAG 2 JULIE 2015

R39.95

X1Q96R9W-VI020715

WWW.VISTANEWS.CO.ZA

GRATIS

Rabbits slaughtered Over 600 carcasses found Marti Will HORRIFIC findings of injured rabbits, rabbits crammed into small cages and the wholesale slaughtering of rabbits were uncovered in Odendaalsrus last week Friday (26/05). “A case of cruelty against animals will be opened against owners of an informal rabbit farm in Odendaalsrus. The Welkom and Virginia SPCA obtained a warrant to investigate the matter. The inspectors were shocked and horrified to find approximately 450 to 500 rabbits, housed in small wired hutches in the garage of the residential property. Thea Smit of the SPCA says the owners of the property admitted to slaughtering the rabbits in their kitchen, but claimed that it was for their own consumption. Further investigation revealed that they were donating the slaughtered rabbit carcasses to churches in the area and selling the meat to the MJ Fish Market and Food Lovers Market in Welkom. Both stores were visited by the inspectors and both stores admitted to buying rabbit meat from the said owners of the investigated property and selling it to the public from their shelves. On this visit, the SPCA issued a warning for the owners to immediately improve the living conditions of the rabbits or face prosecution. “An extended warrant was again obtained and the inspectors returned. Two deep freezes were packed with recentlyslaughtered rabbit carcasses. An estimated 600 rabbit carcasses were discovered,” says Smit. “All the rabbits on the property were individually inspected, under very hostile circumstances. The rabbits were kept in overcrowded, small, wired hutches, some eight in one hutch. “Juvenile rabbits, up to eight, were left with their mothers in crowded hutches. Most rabbits had bleeding feet and sores on the soles of their feet as they had no resting area in the poorly-maintained hutches. Mothers feeding their young had no room to move freely and naturally. There was no bedding and the food provided was of poor quality.” There were no records of the number of rabbits kept and no available veterinary

THIS dead rabbit was removed from one of the horrifically overcrowded cages. records were available. Another warning was issued that the rabbits had to be taken for veterinary treatment. One rabbit, with severe sores under the soles of her feet and wounds from infighting, was confiscated and taken to the Welkom SPCA veterinarian for observation and tests. On 25 June the inspectors, accompanied by the Department of Health, Veterinary Health Profession and the Local By-Law Department, returned to the property. “We discovered that all the rabbits, except for one that was left in a hutch, had been removed by the owners without notice. The owners claimed that they had taken the rabbits to the local township and handed them out to whoever wanted to take them.” A list of the new owners of these rabbits was eventually obtained. Now more charges in terms of the Animal Protection Act, no. 71 of 1962, section 8.4, will be pursued against the owners for concealing animals. “We found some of the rabbits in the local township. The community confirmed that a woman stood at the corner and demanded that all people passing by take rabbits from her for free, as many as they wanted. What happened to all the mothers that were still feeding the babies remains a concern,” says Smit. Smit says this creates an even bigger problem with uncontrolled breeding and the possible overpopulation of rabbits. Many rabbits have already been returned to the SPCA and some community members agree that they are not up to the task of caring for rabbits that were forced into their care.

THESE two rabbits were found in a bin.

THIS rabbit was slaughtered in the township. It was one of the rabbits handed out to residents.

Photos: Supplied

AN estimated 600 rabbit carcasses were discovered during a raid of an illegal slaughterhouse in Odendaalsrus.

X1Q90HRH-VI020715

DN Smith Jewellers - Juweliers Est. 1953

Tel. 057 352 1706 Shop/Winkel 32, WELKOM Checkers Centre/Sentrum

We have power during Loadshedding

At DN Smith we strive to give you the best service. Come in for professional and personal advice for remodelling and valuating your jewellery.

D.N. Smith has stood the test of time.

l Wleoosseel s. d n o m dia X1Q96JJ9-VI020715


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.