Four chickens found tied together and lying on a pavement near a primary school in Maitland are now safe after an intervention by animal welfare inspectors, Cape {town}Etc reports.
Image: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
The birds were discovered during a response to a public complaint about live chickens being sold on the roadside under conditions that raised serious welfare concerns.
A concerned resident alerted authorities after noticing the animals restrained and unable to move freely.
Details from by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA indicate that inspectors were dispatched to the area, with assistance from the Maitland City Improvement District (CID), which secured the scene until officials arrived.
When inspectors reached the location, they found four chickens with their legs tethered together on the pavement.
Unable to walk, seek shelter, access food or water independently, or display natural behaviour, the birds were deemed to be in distress.
Inspectors also established that the hawker could not provide the required permit authorising the sale of animals under applicable City of Cape Town by-laws.
Preparations were being made to seize the birds when the seller opted to surrender them voluntarily. The chickens were subsequently transported to the SPCA Farmyard in Grassy Park, where veterinary staff assessed their condition and provided care.
Animal welfare experts note that chickens, like other animals, rely on movement not only to access food and shelter but also to respond to perceived threats and engage in normal behavioural patterns. Restricting that movement can result in unnecessary stress and suffering.
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