Liquor firm contrite after 'bound sheep' promotion

A LIQUOR salesman's attempts to sell more booze by offering a live sheep as a special promotion prize landed a Butterworth bottle store in hot water when the East London SPCA reported them to police for animal cruelty.

SPCA national farm animal protection unit manager Andries Venter yesterday said they had opened a docket with Butterworth police this week following public complaints about the lone sheep tethered without water in the Tops bottle store at Spargs SuperSpar.

He said the SPCA had investigated after they received complaints and saw low-resolution photographs of the bound sheep on the internet.

"The images show a live sheep with its legs tied on the floor of the bottle store without access to water.

"A notice had been placed on the side of the animal stating that if customers purchase a bottle of two specific alcoholic drinks, they stand a chance of winning the animal."

Spargs Superspar manager Wayne Preston yesterday laid the blame at the door of liquor distribution firm Henry Tayler and Ries (HTR). He said while management were aware of the promotion they never knew what it entailed.

"We weren't even aware there was a sheep tied up in our store.

"The distributor did not have permission from us."

HTR managing director Keith Clark said they regretted ever running the promotion.

"We are very sorry, it was a mistake that will never happen again."

He said a Transkei HTR rep was responsible for running the promotion and had been given the sheep by a livestock supplier already bound.

"It is very sad."

Clark said the rep was being disciplined for the incident.

According to an SPCA statement, a message of regret and apology had been received from HTR.

Venter said they had laid charges under the Animals Protection Act and the Performing Animals Protection Act – as the animal was exhibited – but more offences may have occurred in the handling, transport and possible slaughtering of the animal. - David Macgregor