The Virginia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in the Free State has laid a charge of animal cruelty against Ventersburg police after they allegedly dragged two injured cows to their offices over the weekend.
SPCA committee member Thea Smith said: "They were notified of two cows "crying" at Ventersburg Police Station on Monday morning. The complaint was lodged by people who reported that two cows had been "crying" the whole night and that they had been hit by cars."
The cows were injured in an accident on Sunday evening at about 10pm, but the SPCA was only called in the next day.
The cows, which had broken legs, were allegedly dragged to the police office and left overnight.
Smith said: "We were told that the cows were hit by a car on the Kroonstad / Senekal road in Ventersdorp on Sunday evening.
A high ranking officer of the police station allegedly ordered a tow-in vehicle to tow the cows to the Ventersburg police station.
Both cows had gruesome scars and wounds from the towing.
The officer involved allegedly gave instructions that the cows are not to be removed or touched as he is now the "owner" of the cows.
Smith added that, one of the other officers was upset because he wanted to braai the animals.
The animals were immediately put down and the carcasses confiscated by the SPCA .
Initially Smith said she received opposition when she arrived at the police station, but she insisted on laying a charge of animal cruelty.
"Animal cruelty is often regarded as a lesser offence and we are fully prepared to go all the way with this case as we know that we will be faced with challenges.
Nobody is above the law of animal cruelty and our job is to protect those who cannot speak for themselves." Said Smith
Charges of animal cruelty have been laid and the case will be presented for prosecution.