Something strange is going on at Onderstepoort Biological Products, where vaccines are developed for African Horse Sickness. But the horses entrusted to the care of OBP, across the road from the veterinary University, are being sold, once OBP are finished with them, as meat…
…even though there are many people willing to give them homes! We think that’s strange…
Please please put a stop to this shocking,horrific practice..it’s sickening, revolting to think this is the way humans treat these graceful creatures. Can’t believe that educated people engage in such evil and viciously cruel practices…it’s beyond barbaric and sadistic!!!
It’s all very well complaining to one another about the horrors going on at OBP, the suffering of horses and the possible corruption and graft, but we should do something about this. At this stage, there are three possibilities:
1. Asking Carte Blanche to investigate and publicize what’s going on.
2. Demonstrating at OBP and making sure we get media coverage.
3. Going to the butcher and offering to buy the horses before he slaughters them.
Stephen, we have already spoken to 3rd degree and Carte Blanche have been sent an email. Why not send another? The 3rd option has already been tried – read http://obphorses.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/whyslaughter/
As for demonstrating, let’s see what the next few days bring…
Demonstrating is great idea – as long as we get press and public awareness from it. Might not be best time with all the human slaughter going on in the townships right now, but something has to be done.
Publicising something like this can only spread awareness of what is happening at an institution that is supposed to support the welfare of animals.
For the last 12 years I have been trying to buy a horse from Onderstepoort. My letters to the faculty of Ethiology, the dean of the faculty of Veterinary Science as well as the head of the University of Pretoria have fallen on deaf ears. This is a horse that I started riding when studying at Onderstepoort in 1993. The only thing I wanted to do was give this horse a good retirement home. I have offered to buy this horse at way over the market price-up to 30 000.00 for a 20 year old horse and even offered a yearly bursery for needy students. The faculty of ethiology once said yes, but had to wait for one professor to return from overseas. When she came back the decision was overruled. As far as I am concerned a horse of that age should not be used anymore and a loving retirement home is way preferable than being slaughtered/die and be used in the anatomy halls. If this does not constitute a form of corruption where one person keeps a horse for personal reasons on the universities account I don’t know what is.
All it takes for evil to prevail is for mankind to stand by and do nothing. This is one more voice against the ungodly, unethical and downright soulless practice against these magnificent animals.
Comment on TA Schouwstra’s post
Hi Tanya (it is Tanya, isn’t it?)
The Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria (including its Veterinary Hospital) is one of three separate independent entities in the geographical area known as ONDERSTEPOORT. The two other organisations are the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI), under the auspices of the Government and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP), an independent company that is neither a part of the Faculty of Veterinary Science nor the OVI at Onderstepoort. Thus, we are not Onderstepoort but situated at Onderstepoort. Seeing that you have studied at the Faculty, one should expect that you know the difference. The issue about alleged horse abuse refers to Onderstepoort Biological Products Ltd., and NOT this Faculty.
Thus, I think you are confusing two issues here. The horse you are referring to, Camelia, is the property of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, and is still being used for student practicals. Why? Because she is a very sweet-natured mare, and ideally suited for the two main purposes we use her for:
(1) Handling by students who have never seen a horse before, and who are afraid to even touch a horse. Camelia is so sweet that she helps them overcome this fear.
(2) Riding for disabled children. A School for disabled children visits the Faculty every second week, and you should see the joy on the kid’s faces when they are on horseback! Once again, Camelia’s sweet nature makes her the ideal horse for this purpose.
Furthermore, whenever the Faculty retires one of the horses that was used for student teaching, we always find a good and suitable retirement home for them.
P.S. We do not have a faculty of Ethiology, only an Ethology Section. The Faculty is the Faculty of Veterinary Science. We also do not have a head of the University but only a Principal who is also the Vice Chancellor.
It is sad that in today’s day and age we still have denials about abuse practices and that people can easily turn a blind eye to it. I hope that this awareness campaign assist in convincing OBP to allow those who care a first option in taking care of these horses. We all have a calling and usually have a way of making it work – allow those whose passion is horses to place these “useless” animals where they can add value to someone’s life.
“I support your exposure of Onderstepoort Biological horrific treatment of horses”.
Horse ‘n Home rescued 15 horses from a business that went sour. The horses were all competing for food in a rocky, sandy place. 6 would have died within a week due to starvation. Some were wild, other afraid for another smack through tha face, BUT today they are healthy and all changed for the better. Our organisation do not receive any financial assistance (except some small sponsors in providing us with dewormers, vacinnes and little things at reduced rates) and since the upkeeping is paid by my family, I wish I could help these horses, but I can not financially afford another mouth to feed.
PLEASE PLEASE help our equines. Please expose this action for all South Africans and the world to see what is happening. People do not know what is going on! PLEASE inform all!
Yours in horse care
Almarie
http://www.horsenhome.org
Hi Derek..thanks for being a dedicated, committed champion of what is a very sensitive and emotive issue. Only with the ever increasing awareness of what is taking place and raised consciousness of all those we reach , can sanity prevail and these magnificent creatures be helped.
So much cover up and deceit but we believe that the truth will prevail and justice be done.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead…stay thoughtful, stay committed.
Hi Derek,
Any news? Are we winning as yet? I sure do hope so. If only the world was a just place, we could turn the tables on these people. Can not call them ‘animals’ as no animals would behave in such a mannor.
Keep it up,
Hayley
Hi Derek,
Congratulations are in order!! Thank you again for everything, the world is a better place because of people like you : !
I am horrified at this. I am a horse lover and to see this brings tears to my eyes! Someone must put a stop to this and action needs to be taken. its unacceptable!
Hi Hayley
Thanks for your comment.
While I would love to take credit for the result at Onderstepoort,
it is important to recognise that I am merely a ‘front man’ and there are a whole lot of other people, the ‘invisible ones’ who work tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome for our animal friends.
The people who rescue abused and abandoned animals, the ones who treat them, others who investigate cruelty and abuse, and yet others in media and support all make a huge contribution.
We will shortly be launching the website of a new force in Animal Rights and Welfare – please register here to be updated as we bring animal welfare in SA together:
http://justd.ws/arc
Best regards
D
Derek
ARC
Never Say Die…
I would like to support you in your efforts to ensure that treatment of animals is humane. Further investigation into what is supposed to be taking place at the institution mentioned will carry my full support.