ABUSIVE HORSE OWNER CLEANS UP HIS ACT

Many thanks to all those who wrote to the SPCA regarding the 15 ponies returned to their abusive owner. The owner has now considerably improved the situation of the horses in his care. To see pictures of the ponies in their new home visit: www.thebibleandanimals.co.za.

I received the following email from Mr Perrins (SPCA CEO) yesterday:

I am delighted to be able to confirm that the owner of the ponies has heeded the advice and recommendations of the SPCA Horse Care Unit and pleased to report that I was made to feel welcome by everyone present.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Rashied and his small army of helpers have worked tirelessly to get this facility up to scratch and invested heavily to ensure that his ponies have appropriate care and are now kept in acceptable facilities. 

I have just returned from the stable block and was very pleased to note the improvements which have been effected following my initial visit to and criticism of the facility.  It has been enlarged, is spotlessly clean, offers adequate shelter from the elements and even has an enclosed adjoining paddock. Rashied has also very sensibly reduced the number of ponies from 15 to 9. 

I was particularly heartened to see one of the little ponies (that I have developed a very soft spot for) voluntarily walk into her new stable and could swear that her backward glance was her way of showing her appreciation for what we (Max Ozinsky MPL of the ANC and the SPCA) have been able to facilitate by adopting a "soft" yet uncompromising approach.

Whilst you for obvious reasons cannot compare these stables to stables in Constantia (for instance) compared to many other horses kept on the Cape Flats this is more than acceptable to us.  In my opinion, this truly is a happy ending and I sincerely hope one which vindicates us from our decision to conditionally return the ponies to their owner.

We will continue to monitor the situation so as to ensure that standards are maintained and in meantime can confirm that Rashied's first Court appearance is tomorrow.

Regards

Allan Perrins , CEO, Cape of Good Hope SPCA
Tel: 021-7004182, ceo@spca-ct.co.za, www.spca-ct.co.za.

"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up..." Luke 18:1

For further reading on the Biblical care of animals visit: www.thebibleandanimals.co.za

Diane Worthington
Africa Christian Action
PO Box 23632
Claremont
7735 Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 021-689 4481
E-mail: info@christianaction.org.za
Web: www.christianaction.org.za

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