The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has raised alarm after pigs were left without sufficient feed at a government-headed piggery in the Daggakraal area, Mpumalanga.
The NSPCA was able to inspect the farm and could confirm that the pigs had been left without feed following a complaint.
They found that some of the sows were also struggling to produce milk to feed their week-old piglets as a result of the food shortage.
A few of the piglets were also found to have a skin condition that wasn’t being treated at the time of the inspection.
NSPCA national inspector Navesh Singh said should these facilities continue to ignore the basic requirements of animals, they would take legal action.
“The NSPCA is concerned at the lack of prioritisation of animal welfare at certain government-headed farming projects. Should these facilities, or any other facilities for that matter, continue to ignore the basic requirements of animals, such as food, water, shelter, and veterinary attention, the NSPCA will take legal action… (to) protect all animals from cruelty and suffering,” said Singh.
The NSPCA issued a written warning to the farm to ensure that this didn’t occur again.
“After spending numerous hours liaising between the relevant role-players responsible for the farm, the NSPCA was able to ensure that feed had been procured for the animals as a matter of urgency.
“Further to this, the NSPCA ensured that the farm had the piglets assessed and treated by a veterinarian and that a treatment plan was put in place for the future,” said Singh.
The NSPCA has called for all complaints relating to farm animal cruelty to be reported to a local SPCA www.nspca.co.za or the NSPCA – [email protected].
Cape Times