14/08/2025
𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘁𝘆
‼️WARNING – Not for sensitive Viewers‼️
This morning, our SPCA received an urgent call from SAPS requesting assistance in a stock theft case. Our team of inspectors rushed to the scene—only to be met with an utterly horrifying sight.
Ten cows stolen, seven cows killed, one carcass left, their tendons deliberately severed to prevent them from moving, brutally hacked and disembowelled while still alive. The sheer barbarity of this act deeply shook our team as they worked quickly to assess which animals could still be saved.
Two calves were found alive. Tragically, one had also suffered severed tendons and had to be humanely euthanized on site to end its pain. The other calf found with minor injuries was was loaded into our vehicle to get it out of harm’s way before the situation on the ground grew volatile.
In its distress, the calf head butted one of our vehicle windows out while we arranged for a horse box. We are deeply grateful to Sally Slade, who loaned us her horse trailer, enabling us to transport the calf safely back to the SPCA. We also extend our sincere thanks to Midrand Canopy Centre, whose staff gave up their lunch breaks to replace our vehicle window—free of charge—so that we could get back on the road to respond to cruelty complaints. Thankfully, the calf sustained no injuries from head butting the window.
After more than three hours, our team returned to the office, haunted by the events of the day. Our General Manager, Inspector Pam Pretorius, described the scene as "something out of a horror movie—emotionally disturbing.” With an SPCA Career of over 40 years in this movement, she has witnessed many acts of cruelty, but this, she said, was among the most traumatic—“I cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable suffering these animals endured - it's beyond words.”
Thank you to our dedicated Team of Inspectors who swiftly responded to this horrific scene - your courage and commitment is truly remarkable.
We urgently appeal for support in the vital work our inspectorate team carries out every day. As an organisation that receives no Government Funding, your support is crucial to our work. Any donations towards the purchase of calf feed would also be greatly appreciated.
https://www.midrandspca.co.za/donate
