The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Cape Town has called for stricter enforcement of the city’s Animal Keeping by-Law after an inspector found a severely distressed carthorse in Mitchells Plain. The underweight pony, weighing only 240 kilograms, was forced to pull a load of 980 kilograms plus three occupants—far exceeding the legal limit of twice the horse’s body weight. The SPCA seized the animal and is pursuing criminal charges against the owner, who rents out equines for labor under exploitative and cruel conditions.

SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham condemned the blatant disregard for animal welfare laws, noting that overloading animals violates the Animals Protection Act and South African National Standards, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse emphasized the SPCA’s commitment to enforcing animal welfare laws and protecting working animals from exploitation, urging other enforcement bodies to strengthen compliance to prevent such cruelty.