Seriously injured horse allegedly beaten, kicked in Springs

He says he witnessed the driver of the vehicle kicking a horse that was seriously injured.

Van Niekerk claims he could see the horse’s leg was broken and the skin was peeled off on the open wounds.

The incident allegedly caused quite a public spectacle and onlookers were watching the abuse and cruelty to the injured animal lying on the ground.

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“Kicking a horse that is seriously injured is just inhumane,” says van Niekerk.

He claims after cutting off the strings and ropes from the horse, the driver allegedly kicked the horse again ordering the animal to stand up.

“I was concerned that once the horse gets up it could run off with serious consequences,” says van Niekerk.

The horse finally got up, but could only stand on three legs as the other leg was allegedly badly broken.

“I am not an expert, but as a layman I know what it looks like when a bone is broken,” he claims.

When the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) arrived on the scene a few minutes after the accident, they called the Springs SPCA.

“The SPCA could have taken the animal to a veterinary hospital for treatment,” says van Niekerk, adding “but when they arrived the driver grabbed the rope and disappeared with the injured horse into an open field”.

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He says the EMPD chased after the horse and its handler, but couldn’t find them.

“I know that animal cruelty is a nationwide problem that is rapidly growing in today’s society.

“Animals and children are being mistreated and starved daily and many helpless animals and children die each year across the globe because of heartless people and owners of animals,” says van Niekerk.

Springs SPCA manager Celeste Kleyn confirms they were on the scene and that the case is under investigation.