[imagesource:deviantart]

The SPCA has been working overtime recently, taking care of the “Kuwaiti Death Ship” full of livestock that’s been stinking up the city, and arguing with a private school in the Northern Cape about handing out a ‘shoot the lion’ prize.

Now, the animal welfare group is dealing with a supposed ‘chicken cult’ in the Newlands forest.

The Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) security WhatsApp group was flooded with messages on 10 February after visitors spotted a group of about 80 people carrying live chickens into Newlands Forest.

SPCA and law enforcement descended on the scene following the message, which read: “A whole group of people are coming into Newlands Forest with live chickens.” Newlands Forest Conservation Group mentioned that people “witnessed chickens being carried upside down by their wings. The chickens were clearly distressed…”

Onlookers seemed to think some weird chicken cult was preparing for a ‘religious animal ritual.’

“They intended to slaughter and dismember the chickens at the river, light a fire and eat them in some sort of ritual sacrifice… but this is all hearsay.”

Lauren Clayton, SANParks law enforcement spokesman, stated that “the group was escorted out of Newlands Forest, as events or gatherings of this nature are not permitted without a permit”. The organisation did not consult with or notify SANParks of their intentions, she added.

A total of 62 chickens and the ‘chicken cult’ were removed from the forest.

The Cape of Good Hope Belinda Abrahams, SPCA’s communications manager, confirmed that the chicks were intended for religious sacrifice. She also verified that the church group’s leader had received a warning to ensure that all animals under her supervision were not mistreated in the future and to follow the proper protocols to avoid breaking the law.

Abrahams went on to say that the issue had been rectified, the church leader had been notified of the proper procedure, and an inquiry into other elements of the day’s occurrences was still ongoing.

“The inappropriate handling of the animals was addressed with those who were carrying chickens by their wings and our inspector educated the group on humane handling and the need for humane slaughter.”

‘Humane slaughter’ seems a misnomer. No additional information on the ‘chicken cult’ and their ‘ritual’ was given, but concerns over how slaughtering 62 chickens in Newlands Forest would affect the environment is justified.

There is too much spilling of blood going on in the name of religion. How does that get you closer to your god?

[source:peoplespost]