Goat survives dagger attack

Hilda, the goat that was found with a knife in its back on Camps Bay beach last week.

A goat with a dagger in its back was found between the rocks at Camps Bay last week, by law enforcement officers who were doing routine patrols in the area.

Law enforcement officers notified the Cape of Good Hope SPCA who came to rescue the animal which had lost a lot of blood.

According to SPCA’s spokesperson, Belinda Abraham, the black, wooden-handled dagger with a red cloth tied around it, had been lodged deep in the back of the goat.

Ms Abraham said they suspected that Hilda, as they named the goat, had been a victim of a ritual sacrifice during the night but had managed to escape. “We suspect that Hilda, survived a sacrificial ritual. The handle of the dagger removed from her back was wrapped in a red fabric and hair was knotted into the cloth,” she said.

Hilda is currently recovering in the farmyard and despite the deep wound, Ms Abraham said they expected her to recover fully.

She said the goat would remain at the SPCA until she was well enough to be placed in a loving home.

Ms Abraham said stabbing an animal in this manner and not seeking veterinary assistance were contraventions of the Animal Protection Act. “It is a contravention of the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962 to cause an animal to suffer in this manner and it
is equally criminal to neglect to seek veterinary assistance for an injured animal.”

People expressed shock and anger on social media. Weighing in on the incident, Bianca Gittele Turok said: “You have to catch them and charge them; they can not get away with this evil and abuse.”

The incident also sparked debate among vegans and meat-eaters. Commenting on Facebook, Nikki De Villiers Gray said: “This is absolutely horrendous, however, she is one of the few lucky ones who escape. Sadly millions of animals suffer a fate far worse than this every day in an abattoir near you.”

No arrests have been made thus far and no one has come forward with any information as yet.

The SPCA is appealing to the members of the public to come forward if they know anything. Contact the SPCA on 0217004158/9 during office hours or on 083 326 1604 after hours. The SPCA will never reveal the identity of a complainant and information can be given anonymously.

By Sinazo Mkoko
https://www.atlanticsun.co.za/news/goat-survives-dagger-attack-17337873