By Buziwe Nocuze
- Traders say they tie chickens by their legs because they do not know the local animal welfare rules are strict.
- The SPCA says it will issue a warning first before taking away any chickens that suffer from unnecessary physical pain.
Cape Town street vendors who sell live chickens are worried. They fear the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will confiscate their birds during the busy festive season and put them out of business.
Nomsa Ndungane sells chickens to feed her family. She says many traders tie their chickens up because they do not know the animal welfare rules.
“We invest hard-earned capital to buy chickens as an honest way to support our families and keep them from going hungry,” Ndungane said.
She says taking the chickens away is a harsh punishment. She wants the SPCA to teach vendors how to treat the animals properly before taking their stock.
“Confiscations are painful, and we are not acting out of neglect but a lack of awareness,” she said.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA says tying chickens by their legs causes deep distress. Spokesperson Belinda Abraham says chickens are prey animals and need to move to escape danger.
Abraham says keeping them tied up causes pain, stress and cuts off their blood flow. It also leaves the birds trapped in bad weather or open to attacks from other animals.
“Animals are not objects or commodities. They are living, sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, fear, stress and discomfort,” Abraham said.
She says the City of Cape Town requires all traders to have a permit to sell animals. The law also bans any action that causes unnecessary suffering.
But Abraham says the SPCA does not just arrive and take the birds.
“We first issue a warning and give vendors a fair opportunity to comply, unless suffering is excessive,” she said.
Thozama Gwente works for the United Khula Informal Traders Association (Ukita). She says the group plans to invite the SPCA to speak to the vendors next week.
Pictured above: Cape Town vendors selling live chickens want the SPCA to do awareness before confiscating their chickens.
Image source: SPCA
