Horse Cruelty Trial Update

3rd June, 2010

Update:

Animal lovers picketed outside the Somerset West Magistrates' Court yesterday, where five youths appeared for allegedly killing a retired cart horse.

They allegedly fashioned a bridle of barbed wire and rode the horse "Bukshi" to death, stabbing him in the sides and stomach to keep him moving.

The horse was found dead 50 metres from its home.

The case was postponed to June 10.

Two of the youths are on bail while the other three remain in custody. They are expected to plead at their next appearance.

Source : IOL

29th April, 2010

Four suspects appeared in the Somerset West Magistrate's court this morning 29th May on charges of animal cruelty and stock theft.
They were not asked to plead and the case was remanded until the 27th May 2010 pending further investigation.
Around 26 protesters picketed in front of the court . These included the Owner Anthea Myburgh, the SPCA Grassy Park, the Cart Horse Protection Society and several other animal lovers.

Beatrice Wiltshire

26th April, 2010

The 4 suspects in this case are due to appear in the Somerset West Magistrate's Court again on Thursday, 29th April, 2010.

It will be held in "A" Court and I would urge anyone who can spare the time to please support our efforts in being present at the Court House from 9.00am onwards. If you can only spare 1 hour, it will help.

I am not sure exactly what time the proceedings will commence as the Court Roll is usually only available in the morning, however I can phone on Wednesday afternoon to see if the Clerk of the Court has the Court Roll prepared for the next day.

We have followed the legal procedure in getting permission to picket outside the Court House by obtaining permission from the local Magistrate, the South African Police Somerset West as well as the relevant Municipality.

It is important that we get as many supporters as possible to visibly make a stance against animal abuse not only in the Helderberg area but in the whole of this country. It has reached unacceptable levels and the horrific nature of the abuse only increases.

17th April, 2010

The suspects in the horse and pony cruelty case will appear in the Somerset West Magistrate's Court on 29 April. A group of horse lovers is planning a picket outside the Court. As soon as we receive further details regarding time etc, we will put this on the website.