Well, here we are at the end of August 2018. I don’t know about you, but surely time is speeding up!!
Stan received a Complaint from a cattle herder in the Motherwell area about a donkey that had received kapmes cuts to both hind legs, cutting the tendons and spine. Stan and Tom loaded as best they could and as the damage was so severe, they headed off for a euthanasia task. RIP
Our OLAF left us on foster and maybe, if he behaves well, will be adopted.
It is not ‘All Right’ to let your horses, with or without a groom who lies down a lot, to graze on the side of the roads in the Metro. Constant Complaints about the horses being loose! Three separate Complaints about the same thing!! So, herewith the Bye Law:
NMBMM Roads, Traffic and safety By-law that was promulgated on 30 November 2007.
(4) No person may on a public road shoe, clean, dress, train, break-in or turn loose an animal.
(6) No person who owns or who is in charge of livestock may allow the livestock to be at large on a public road within the municipal area of the municipality, and an authorised official may take any such livestock to a place designated by the municipality.
(7) No owner of an animal or person -
(b) may allow, permit or cause any animal to graze or stray in or about any public road or public place; or
We were subjected to yet another attempted break in, but this time they had no success, because the outside light and sensor activated the Night Watch Man who hit the panic button and scared them off! They did manage to cut the three locks on the stables, but scarpered without anything when the light went off. Again, Terry from AWS assisted with welding the damage. Thank You, AWS!!
Oh dear! And then horses stray on the New Seaview Road in Seaview at night. Scary to think how many cars could have hit them and leading to their demise as so often happens, or damage to the vehicle involved. Please keep your fences in good repair! See NMMM Bye Laws above! And yes, we understand that ‘accidents’ happen, (gates left open, broken fences, dumped riders), but we must all take care of our equines
Carla, on driving past a farm, saw a horse that was struggling to walk because his hindquarter was not working as it should. She stopped and checked it out, like she should have. A wound was found and the necessary phone call made to the owner.
The ANIMAL PROTECTION ACT is quite clear that if your animal is sick or lame, you MUST get a Veterinary Surgeon to treat it and by the look of the wound, it had not been treated. The owner was not amused! I am sure the horse was not amused either!! A Warning Notice issued. Relevant section of the Animals Protection Act hereunder:
Subsection (e) being the owner of any animal, deliberately or negligently keeps such animal in a dirty or parasitic condition or allows it to become infested with external parasites or fails to render or procure veterinary or other medical treatment or attention which he is able to render or procure for any such animal in need of such treatment or attention, whether through disease, injury, delivery of young or any other cause, or fails to destroy or cause to be destroyed any such animal which is so seriously injured or diseased or in such a physical condition that to prolong, its life would be cruel and would cause such animal unnecessary suffering; or…
NOT what we find with township equines and owners who are very anxious until their animal has been seen to and assessed!
A frantic parent who found her newly adopted out LONGSHANKS that she had found dead in the camp in the middle of the night was dealt with by Sally in her duty time. A Vet had inspected the horse for signs of AHS or wounds, but could not give a definitive diagnosis. The Unit assisted with removal. We are happy that what short time he had was good until his departure.
Lucky for all of us it was a quiet Women’s Day.
Our MOJO left on a float for his new home. We know he will be well loved and cared for by a knowledgeable parent and has already settled in well.
Another day in Court on the Neglect Case for Carla and I while Sally did a Pre Home Check for two more adoptions. Stanley kept the office running. Can you ‘adam and eve it’??
We were sad to hear that FATSIMA, due to a bad damage to his hind leg was, after Veterinary Consultation and X rays, to be euthanased. Pity because it was another kind, knowledgeable home but all the right ‘stuff’ was done. RIP
I took a short break to visit family in Cape Town but Carla, Stanley and Sally handled everything well in my absence. Thank YOU!
We are all having problems with the current drought and it has meant calls for ‘thin’ horses. Drought conditions mean you have to buy fodder of any kind. However, and we must check the Complaints we get and one of the things we do do is to check the teeth and find out when the last deworming took place for starters. We offer our assistance with ‘resistant’ horses who do not like to be dewormed. I guess it tastes funny, hey?
About a year ago, a man arrived to adopt a donkey. His herd of Springbuck were losing their babies to predators, i.e. jackal and lynx. Long story short, Model Man duly went off to ‘work’ and did such a sterling job that the man arrived again, this time for a second donkey to do the same job with another herd of buck. Wally has left us now and I am sure he appreciates being in the ‘wild’ with his new charges and acres of grazing. We are so happy for them in their second lives, away from township work. Still doing conservation work we are!
Unfortunately, Sally was accosted by a brick wielding thug on leaving the Unit in the late afternoon, and breaking her driver’s side window. Other than a severe state of shock, no physical damage inflicted. However, all the ‘action’ was caught on camera and sent on to the SAPS for her docket. This has had unfortunate results, in that her concerned UK family have advised her to ‘come home’. She has been a valuable member of staff for 1 ½ years and we will miss her energy and commitment to the equines. Our thanks to the Walmer SAPS for arranging Trauma Counselling.
Our RESTRAINT arrived safe and sound in Gauteng with her loving parent.
Our Auditors PwC are currently doing our Audit 2017.
A request for assistance in removing wire from a horse’s tail and leg received and Stanley and a groom went out to assist. As luck would have it, in moving the horse into a smaller area, the wire dislodged itself and everyone returned back to base. No damage done.
Our beautiful TULLAMORE showed off her best side in a model shoot. Gosh, you are beauuuutiful, Tully!
A generous donation received from a donkey owner when they received their AHS vaccinations. Thank You!
Two ponies, the subject of a Complaint received from a motorist, on Cape Road, were duly moved back to their owner’s shack by Carla and Sally. I wish they could talk and tell us how they landed up in Lusaka!
We have been having a bit of a tight time with grooms lately. Stanley has introduced a new groom now, and we are just hoping that he will stick around for a while.
And then we said Goodbye to Rich, Arthur, Rusty and Yster, all the deceased Patrick’s working donkeys from Walmer. Patrick’s aged mother was going to try her hand at carting, but that did not last long, so the donkeys have been kept safe with us for some time. However, the gogo had decided to sell the cart and the donkeys. Themba from Motherwell bought them and the cart from her and once the paperwork was completed, the donkeys were taken to Themba’s home. Rich and his mates have been part of us so long, it was painful to see them leave.
Our DEXTER was taken to his new adoptive home and we wish him all the best in his new adventure.
With regret we say goodbye and fare thee well to Meg Muir who has been a stalwart and enduring supporter of the Unit. ALWAYS ready to lend a hand in whatever circumstance, grizzly or good, Auction Room supporter par excellence, FUNdraiser with very different ideas, bringer of coffee and bikkies when the weather is not good and we don’t have water or lights. Go Well Meg and Colin and Rachel. We will miss you!
And to end off the month well, our DAISY and DOT left for their new ‘job’! Way hey!!
DONATIONS RECEIVED WITH OUR GRATEFUL THANKS:
ELMARIE’s – R1500 from her fb page ELMARIE’S, jewellery to raise runds for Charitable Animal Associations
GENERAL MOTORS – computer
Eugene – garden furniture
Kara – tack
Chante – roll of oathay
AWS– 2 x equine dewormers
Robyn – 25l F10 disinfectant
Ann – Bread from 9th Avenue
Robyn – F10 disinfectant
Maryna – Citronella fly muti and wound spray
SallyB – auction item
Grey High School – cut grass from their scarified sports fields (makes a good mulch for the Exercise Arena!) and loaders to assist too.
VOLUNTEERS – Lorna and Carla, Cara and Anke, Robin, Lee Ann and Amy, Sam and Robyn, Jess, Sam, Hildegaard and Eugene Cheryl, Cara and Jess, Sam and Kerry, Amy and Lee Anne, Cheryl, Brandwag students grooming donkeys and horses.
Banking Details: Standard Bank Account 080733875, Code 0512001. Reference: Your name or project
Facebook: EAST CAPE HORSE CARE UNIT
Contact numbers Office cellphone 072 357 2505
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