Animals cruelty case struck off the court Roll
The case of Judy Davidson, now Pollard, was struck of the Court Roll in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, September 5.
Davidson is the owner of a NGO, the Wildlife in Crisis Bird and Mammal Rehabilitation Centre, now based in Springs, and was facing charges of cruelty to animals.
In 2006 her centre, situated in Benoni at the time, was raided by the SPCA, who alleged that the animals were held in inefficient conditions.
All the birds in her care were confiscated by the SPCA’s Wildlife Unit, as well as a Cape fox, which was later euthanased along with 29 of the 31 birds.
The SPCA alleged that these birds were confiscated and later euthanased due to the conditions they were kept by Davidson.
Thursday was the accused’s eighth appearance in the Benoni Magistrates Court.
The matter was before Court, postponed and even previously struck of the Roll, only for Davidson to be charged anew each time.
The State prosecutor applied for another postponement on Thursday, citing that the main witness was absent and that the State would like to alter the charge sheet.
Davidson’s lawyer, Steve Bester, opposed the application by State for the postponement, and requested that his client may plea, due the time wasted and the costs incurred to subpoena several State witnesses.
He added that the centre was recently inspected by the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development that found the centre to be complying to all their standards.
The defence applied for refusal to any further postponement, which was accepted by the magistrate, Leonie Shepperd.
The State, however, refused to put charges to the accused and the matter was again struck off the Roll by the magistrate.
Bester indicated that they will now be forced to approach the North Gauteng High Court to apply for an interdict against the National Prosecuting Authority to prohibit the State from further prosecuting the accused, as the Constitution of the country guarantees a trial to begin and conclude without unreasonable delay.
In the meantime, and since being charged, Davidson has continued to care for injured and ill animals at her premises.
