High Standard Veterinary Practice

The SAVC took note of the media reports relating to the alleged inhumane dehorning of rhino in the Free State province by
veterinarians which were drawn to its attention by seriously concerned members of the veterinary profession.

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Due to the threat of the illegal killing of rhino simply for the harvesting of their horns it was resolved to declare dehorning of
rhino horns a veterinary ethical procedure which may be repeated as dictated by the growth of new horn. The SAVC
approved this proposal on rhino dehorning made by the South African Veterinary Association [SAVA] twenty months ago.

In this regard veterinarians need to operate in accordance with all the relevant legislation and must comply with all legal
requirements for dehorning rhino. In addition veterinarians should familiarise themselves with best practice. Rule 4 of the
rules for veterinarians states that:

“4.(1) A veterinary professional shall base his/her personal and professional conduct thereon that –

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(a) he/she is a member of a learned and honourable profession and is required to act at all times in such a manner as will maintain and promote the prestige, honour, dignity and interests of the profession and of the persons by whom it is practised;


(b) he/she is morally obliged to serve the public to the best of his/her ability and in the light of the latest scientific knowledge;

(c) he/she will not seek any personal advantage at the expense of any colleague in the profession;


(d) he/she will not permit himself/herself to be exploited in a manner which may be detrimental to an animal, his/her client, the public or the profession; and


(e) he/she shall, as far as it is within his/her professional ability –

      (i) not refuse treatment to an animal; and

      (ii) not abandon the treatment of an animal under his/her professional care unless he/she is satisfied that he/she has
           done his/her utmost to safeguard the welfare of the animal concerned. “

The SAVC will investigate all allegations made and brought to its attention which have either been submitted in affidavit form and/or where prima face evidence and/or where the court proceedings are available. Requests to immediately investigate the conduct of the veterinarians were made by a number of concerned members of the veterinary profession in view of the media reports and the reputation damage it has caused the veterinary profession in this
particular instance.

The procedure followed by the SAVC is regulated by the Act and specifically sections 31 and 32 of the Veterinary and ParaVeterinary Professions Act, Act 19 of 1982. The Council has since 1984 held its investigations over in terms of these
sections pending the outcome of the criminal cases. The procedure is intended to avoid any interference with the criminal
case and its outcome would still be communicated to the council for consideration.

The SAVC confirmed with the National Council of SPCAs [NSPCA] that a case was opened and that the NSPCA joined the
Green scorpions in the criminal investigations against the said veterinarians. The SAVC intends to investigate the
professional conduct of these veterinarians once the outcome of the criminal case is available and the court proceedings are received. The acquittal in a criminal case of a person who is registered or deemed to be registered in terms of the Act 19 of 1982 shall not be a bar to an inquiry by the SAVC.