Dramatic rescue of horse running on M5 in Cape Town

In a heart-stopping incident late on Thursday afternoon, a horse was reported to be running in a panicked frenzy along the M5 inbound, trailing training equipment behind him.

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In the midst of rush hour traffic, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s concerns were for both the terrified horse and the road users.

It was all hands on deck as five SPCA inspectors and its Chief Inspector raced to the rescue.

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Fortunately the gelding who had an injury to the leg had come to a stop when the inspectors arrived and was being calmed by a compassionate bystander.

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First aid was administered by the inspectors – who are also qualified Animal Welfare Assistants – before the horse was loaded into a horse box and brought back to the SPCA’s Horse Care Unit.

Initial investigations suggest that the horse was in the process of being trained in the Parkwood area before breaking loose.

A full investigation is underway.

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The SPCA extended its heartfelt thanks to the members of the public who stopped to help, Cape Town Traffic Services who closed the road enabling the inspectors to work safely and all the motorists on the M5 for the patience and consideration for a horse in trouble.

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