A farmer near Trichardtsfontein Dam will face criminal charges of animal neglect. This follows the discovery by Trichardt Police and Marius van Reeuwyk, chief inspector for the South African Animal Welfare Inspectorate Association (Saawia), of the carcasses of 29 cows, calves, and sheep on August 17.

According to Van Reeuwyk, the cattle died of dehydration and hunger.

“There was no water for them anywhere in the field, nor was there any grazing. It was horrific, as two cows were still alive,” said Van Reeuwyk.

Van Reeuwyk and the police also discovered a calf believed to be only a few days old.

“One of those cows must have given birth while she was too weak to walk from starvation.”

As an authorised Saawia chief animal welfare inspector, Van Reeuwyk will open a case under the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962 against the farmer.

“It was heartbreaking for me to see the carcasses of those animals,” said Van Reeuwyk.

Some of the sheep were in a ditch. Van Reeuwyk is not sure whether they were searching for shelter there or if somebody had thrown them into the ditch.

Bethal SPCA also arrived at the scene on August 17 and informed Van Reeuwyk that they would take charge and open a case.

The Ridge Times asked Jacques Peacock, spokesperson for the National SPCA, for comment. He said they would respond once they had received more information from Bethal SPCA.

The Department of Water and Sanitation contacted Van Reeuwyk on August 20. They urged him to open a case as the carcasses were still in the field and there was an inflow into Trichardtsfontein Dam.

When he visited the farm again on August 20 to investigate, he found the carcasses still there. Farmworkers transported bales for the surviving cattle, and some of the animals were eating.

Van Reeuwyk will now open a case.

According to him, the farmer claimed he was ill and unable to feed the animals. However, neighbouring farmers offered to supply food and water, but the farmer refused.

Some of the comments on Saawia Secunda’s Facebook page read:

“This is horrific. I hope these people responsible get what’s coming to them.” – Tanya Jansen.

“Water is the most basic need. How can a human being not make sure the animals have water?” – Mary Stanford.

Van Reeuwyk warned that neglecting and abusing animals was a serious criminal offence and that action would be taken against anyone found guilty of such acts.

Saawia depends on donations to investigate complaints about animal welfare. Anybody who wants to support them or needs more information can contact Van Reeuwyk at 067 858 9719.