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- A mare was rescued after giving birth on the side of a road in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon.
- The horse had been put to work by her owner while heavily pregnant.
- The SPCA said the owner's actions were not just "cruel", but "inhumane".
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA and City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit officials removed a mare and its newborn foal from Hillcrest Heights in Cape Town after the mare collapsed on a main road and subsequently gave birth on Sunday afternoon.
SPCA spokesperson Jaco Pieterse said they were outraged that the owners of the horse allowed it to pull a cart while it was heavily pregnant.
He added that frantic and concerned members of the public, who noticed the horse "suddenly collapsing", immediately alerted the SPCA.
"Our inspectors made their way to the scene within minutes of hearing the news. Upon arrival in Hillcrest Heights, inspectors found the mare and her newborn foal on the side of the road.
"In an apparent attempt to obstruct justice, the suspects attempted to conceal the cart to prevent our inspectors from realising the horse had been used for working purposes," said Pieterse.
According to the SPCA, the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and the City of Cape Town Animal Keeping By-Law clearly state that "it is unlawful" to allow any animal to work while it is unsuitable for working purposes.
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"This includes putting heavily pregnant animals to work. We hate to think what the poor animal went through in her final moments before giving birth," Pieterse said.
He added:
He also said the SPCA was gathering evidence before opening a criminal case against the horse's owners.
"The owner will be facing criminal charges. The actions of the owner in the mare's time of need are reprehensible."
Both the mare and its foal, along with the cart, have been seized and taken into the care of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Horse Care Unit.
"We have since named the mare Stella and her little filly Rose. Rose signifies the beauty and unexpected miracle that bloomed next to the road, much like how a rose might unexpectedly blossom in an unexpected place," said Pieterse.
He added forcing an animal to work while heavily pregnant "is not just cruel, it's inhumane".
"Both horse and her foal are doing well in our care, and we will continue to monitor them. We will also see to it that the owners are held accountable under the full extent of the law," said Pieterse.
Cape Town law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason confirmed that his team was on the scene to assist with removing the animals.
Pieterse said the SPCA "remains committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all animals in our community".
"We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any animal abuse."
