Inspector Ayanda Ngcofe of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA saw a heartbreaking scene last week while driving down Voortrekker Road in Kensington, Cape {town} Etc reports.
A small, exhausted pony struggled under the weight of an impossibly enormous load-a cart loaded with a damaged automobile (without an engine) and four passengers riding inside-far exceeding the ponys capacity.
The cart was pushing against the ponys hindquarters as she laboured with each step. Inspector Ngcofe acted without hesitation to alleviate the misery.
She motioned for the cart to stop and insisted on removing the pony for a thorough inspection. It was instantly obvious that the pony was lame and in agony. Inspector Ngcofe, concerned for the ponys wellbeing, asked the office for a horsebox to bring it to the SPCAs Horse Care Unit. Two of the men on the cart fled, pushing it down the road. Fortunately, law enforcement agents arrested them soon, and the cart, along with its heavy cargo, was seized as evidence in an ongoing criminal investigation.
Inspector Ngcofes prompt involvement has resulted in the ponys safe arrival to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Horse Care Unit. An equine specialist physician was summoned to the SPCA to evaluate the pony, and she confirmed that it had been treated to severe maltreatment and was physiologically incapable of pulling such a heavy load. The cart and vehicle weighed an astounding 990 kilogrammes (without the four occupants), nearly tripling the ponys own weight of 360 kilogrammes. Forcing the pony to draw such a heavy burden was not only cruel, but also illegal.
