[ad_1]
Police, veterinarians and members of the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) rushed to the Fairview racecourse in Port Elizabeth, where a horse was killed and several injured, allegedly by disgruntled workers who released and attacked the animals with pangas.
According to Colonel Priscilla Naidu, a police spokesperson, a case of intentional property damage has been opened and is being investigated, and additional charges may be added.
Naidu has confirmed that a “mob” of 150 to 200 protesters from the informal settlement of Fairview broke into the Fairview stables property and released about 28 horses early Thursday morning.
At Fairview, a horse kicked the worker and then stabbed the horse. They fired him and the community came to protest in the stables. This morning at 5 o’clock they opened the stables, stabbed and threw out the horses. Now the only champion is missing. pic.twitter.com/2ftKd4Vpgr
– SALTruckers (@SALTruckers) September 17, 2020
She says that around 6 a.m. the police responded to a complaint from angry protesters who entered the property and allegedly broke the locks on the stables.
“The horses were released and forced to leave the property attacking them. They were reported to be running in all directions and being taunted by their abusers with sticks and stones. A horse was found dead a kilometer away in an opening near houses. It is alleged that he was stabbed and assaulted ”.
According to Naidu, all the horses have been accounted for and the injured horses are receiving treatment from Port Elizabeth AACL veterinarians. “At this stage the exact reason for the protest and the subsequent death, injury and release of the horses is unknown,” he adds.
Law enforcement, community, security companies, specialized police units, as well as members of SAPS Kabega Park were on site to help stable staff round up the traumatized racehorses.
According to AACL Inspector Beverly Rademeyer, the community is still recovering from the trauma and shock of the violent act. According to The Herald, a large group of people, including the bride and groom, were at the racetrack around 6 a.m. Thursday morning when the chaos struck.
“Veterinarians are on the scene, they are stabilizing the situation and providing medical attention to the injured horses. The horses will be evacuated to a safe place, because these people are coming back. They will come back because the grievances they had that led to this have not been addressed, ”said Rademeyer, who was evidently still in shock as she tearfully described the scene that greeted her at the racetrack.
“I cannot imagine what they must have been going through their minds as they stood helpless in their little enclosures while being attacked so brutally and senselessly. What kind of dispute would lead someone to hurt a defenseless animal that has nothing to do with it? “
Phumelela Gaming said in a statement that “a protest started by boyfriends formerly employed by Port Elizabeth head coach Yvette Bremner quickly escalated and turned violent. Several horses under Bremner’s care came out of their stables and the crowd drove them out of the compound. “
“One of Bremner’s defendants, Mark The Doorman, was killed in the riots and others were injured.
“Phumelela is contacting the Department of Labor in an attempt to resolve the dispute between Bremner and his former employees, and has also called in additional private security personnel to help police protect people and horses at the complex. .
“The situation is being closely monitored and a decision will be made later about tomorrow’s race on the track.
“Phumelela intends to pursue all avenues with law and order officials to ensure that all those responsible for the disturbances are brought to justice.”
The police also warn social media users to refrain from posting false information related to the incident, as this may cause the current situation to turn into confusion and retaliation from the community. “Anyone who publishes, distributes, disseminates, transmits, circulates or spreads false information or false news is guilty of a crime and can be prosecuted,” says Naidu.
For more news your way, download The Citizen app to iOS and Android.
[ad_2]
