The Springs SPCA responded to a call on Tuesday morning about bags of rotten animal hides and entrails illegally dumped on a gravel road between Dersley Park and Eastvale on Orpiment Avenue.
A passerby recently made the discovery and alerted a community member.
“I noticed a stench coming from a pile,” said Melissa Cronje, who immediately went to the area after being notified.
Cronje said she saw almost half a dozen bags at first and thought they were just rubbish but soon discovered it was something worse.
“Several bags in particular had animal entrails hanging out of them,” she said.
“The smell was unbearable, as was the sight of the animals decomposing and covered in flies and maggots.”
Hendrik Ditshego, a field officer at the Springs SPCA, said, “We are appalled by what we saw there because whether these animals died by being slaughtered or from natural causes, they deserved more dignity than to be left here. It also poses a health risk to the community and environment.
“What touched me was coming across the full body of a calf. It was heartbreaking to see the full body lying there.”
Cadet inspector Charné Hand said, “Dumping it here is inhumane and without any regard to its life. The illegal dumping of the animal remains also poses a health risk to the community and environment,” said Ditshego.
While on the scene, a truck driver told the Springs Advertiser he saw a pick-up truck driving at the same place several times.
It is unclear if the truck and illegal dumping are linked. However, it is peculiar that this specific gravel road is the dumping site of choice for animal remains.
Ditshego said those responsible could face animal cruelty or illegal dumping charges, as per the municipality’s by-laws.
The Springs Advertiser requested comment from the CoE but had not received it at the time of publication.
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