The gruesome killing of a pet goose by the East London SPCA has sparked outrage among animal activists and the owner of the feathered animal.
In a video that went viral on social media from Friday, two SPCA officials can be seen laying the bird’s elongated neck on a rolled blanket while one appears to saw through the neck with a large knife, an act which has been described as “inhumane”.
The video shows the bird’s frantic struggle during its last moments.
Social media users took to Facebook to express their disdain at the “horrific” killing of the pet, which the owner was said to have had for 17 years.
On Saturday, the National Council of SPCAs said it had been made aware of the video making the rounds on social media regarding the “inhumane” slaughter of the goose and that an urgent investigation would be launched.
The NSPCA said commentary on the matter, from the public, should be directed to the East London SPCA, which said it had conducted an inspection at a breeder where “several” reports were made of animals in possible distress.
The SPCA said various animals whose condition warranted their “immediate” removal were seized from the premises, as a number of warnings had not been adhered to by the owner.
A post on the EL SPCA’s Facebook page read: “One injured goose was in such a state of suffering that transporting it by vehicle would have caused it even more distress. The owner reported that the animal had been hit by a car three weeks ago.
We unfortunately had to euthanise the animal on site as there was no other recourse. A case of animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962 will be opened against the breeder
“We unfortunately had to euthanise the animal on site as there was no other recourse. A case of animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962 will be opened against the breeder.”
The Dispatch has seen a letter signed by a DF Diedericks, believed to be the owner of a farm and the goose, in which he requests disciplinary measures be taken against an SPCA representative.
In the letter dated April 4, Diedricks accuses an SPCA manager of ill-treatment, saying he was visited by an SPCA official who “threatened” to use a bolt cutter to open the gates to his property.
Diedericks writes: “I tried to explain something and was interrupted and given the impression that I wasn’t even being listened to. I am sure animals are given more respect and attention than the public.”
An animal activist, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of being victimised, wrote to the Dispatch in much shock and horror.
The activist said the allegations tabled against the owner, if he was guilty of animal neglect and cruelty, were besides the point.
The activist said: “The matter at hand is the unacceptable conduct and manner in which EL SPCA officials acted. In the EL SPCA’s statement on the issue the manageress justifies the act by calling it “euthanasia”.
He said a small group of East London animal activists wanted to see the EL SPCA and NSPCA investigated by an independent authority.
He said: “The above is based on witnessing acts of incredible cruelty at East London SPCA in the past, of reporting it to the NSPCA, and of being told by same NSPCA that there is nothing they can do about it.”
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