Autopsies confirm abuse of animals at bunny park

The SPCA plans to lay charges after it was revealed that a rabbit sustained head trauma and a chicken was drenched in motor oil at the Rynfield Bunny Park.

Johannesburg - The Benoni SPCA plans to lay charges of animal abuse against three staff members of the Rynfield Bunny Park in Benoni after it received the results of autopsies on two of the park's animals.

Earlier this month, animal welfare volunteers saw workers kick a rabbit to death, while a chicken had to be euthanised after it had motor oil poured on it.

Workers allegedly poured the oil on the bird to treat its fleas.

Vicky Finnemore, senior inspector and acting manager at the SPCA in Benoni, said they received the results of the autopsy from a veterinarian on Thursday.

“I can confirm that the carcass of the rabbit sustained head trauma and that the chicken was definitely drenched in motor oil,” she said.

“Because of that fact and that there were witnesses, we do have to go ahead with the prosecution.”

Finnemore said anyone who abused animals needed to face the consequences.

Tania Forrest-Smith of the animal welfare organisation Bunny Park Animals 911 Group was at the premises when both incidents occurred.

“I saw three of the workers running near where the bunnies are kept and then one of them kicked the bunny.”

Forrest-Smith said that when she eventually got hold of the animal there was nothing she could do and it died in her arms.

“The abuse led to the death of two animals. This is apart from the many other animals that died because of being mistreated,” she said then. The 911 Group and Ban Animal Trading had also laid charges of abuse at Benoni police station for the same incidents.

Ekurhuleni metro spokesman, Themba Gadebe, had not responded by the time of publication.

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The Star