MUST READ: Carcasses dumped at town refuse terrain

While it was confirmed dogs were taken to the dump site after they were euthanised, residents expressed dismay at the way the carcasses were disposed of.

September 27, 2017

Quinton Boucher 1 minute read

Animal carcasses are taken to the municipal dumpsite.
However, they are to be buried and not simply discarded.

In the end, death comes for us all. Yet, not everyone who dies gets the proper respect.

Two dog carcasses were discarded at the Municipal Dump Site on September 5.

At the time of the incident, resident Zander Waarlè expressed shock when he witnessed a municipal worker discard two carcasses among piles of rubbish. “I went to dump some rubble with a work colleague, when this bakkie parked in front of us. I was talking to my colleague, pointing out how the guy had parked in front of us, when I saw him pulling these dogs out by the legs,” Waarlè said.

He went to social media and questioned the correct way to dispose of animal carcasses.

While it was confirmed dogs were taken to the dump site after they were euthanised, residents expressed dismay at the way the carcasses were disposed of.

However, the municipality claimed it was well within its rights to take the carcasses to the refuse site.

“The Waste Department is responsible for the disposal of animals, whether it be dogs or any other animal carcass,” read a response from the municipality. According to officials, carcasses would usually be buried in a trench, which would be prepared prior to the carcasses being brought to the refuse site.

“There is no legislation which prevents the municipality from disposing of animal carcasses at the site, as the licensing conditions permits it.”

While the department said it understood the community’s anger, it explained there was no alternative to disposing of carcasses.

“If it has to be disposed of at the site, then that is the correct method of disposing of it.” However, as the carcasses had to be put in a pit and covered with soil, the department would look into the matter to avoid similar incidents from occurring in future.