MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A cow was hit by two vehicles on the N2 near KwaNonqaba, Mossel Bay at 22:00 in the evening on Tuesday 12 August.
Cattle were walking on the road when one animal was struck by a vehicle. According to KwaNonqaba Police Spokesperson, Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp, a second vehicle then also drove over the cow.
Law enforcement responded to the scene, as well as a field officer of the Garden Route SPCA.
Cheri Cooke, area manager of the SPCA told Mossel Bay Advertiser that by the time the field officer arrived, members of the surrounding community had begun slaughtering the animal and distributing the meat.
Cooke said that after being hit, the animal is often still alive while being slaughtered. The organisation has asked that when such an incident occurs, they be contacted immediately to ensure a humane killing of the animal.
Regulations are in place regarding the free roaming of animals, such as livestock, along roads. The Advertiser reported on a similar incident where a cow was struck by a vehicle in June.
At the time, the Mossel Bay Municipality told the Advertiser that stray animals without an owner present will be impounded by the municipality’s contractor once they have been alerted of a complaint.
The animals are then taken by the impounder to the SPCA, where an impound register is filled in. When the owner of the livestock comes to identify the animals, municipal law enforcement is notified and a fine is issued to the owner.
In addition to calling in complaints, stray animals are also observed by CCTV operators within the Mossel Bay Joint Operation Centre (JOC) after which municipal law enforcement officers are activated, said the municipality.
The Mossel Bay Municipality can be contacted after hours on 044 606 5000 or a call can be made directly to law enforcement (044 606 5204) regarding stray animals.
Kapp said no persons were injured in the accident and an incident report has been opened with the KwaNonqaba Police.
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