The NSPCA has distanced itself from a "Miss SPCA" beauty pageant that was reportedly won by a Bloemfontein girl who admitted she had hunted a wildebeest.National Council of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spokeswoman Christine Kuch said on Wednesday the organisation knew nothing of the competition, but called on the girl not only to relinquish her crown "but to hang her head in shame".
The event was reportedly held in Edenvale on the East Rand.
Kuch said complaints drew the NSPCA's attention to an article headed "Miss SPCA Le-Marie Smith, 16, of Bloemfontein" in the April 2009 edition of the magazine Marie Claire.
The final paragraph of the article on her reads: "She is pictured above with the stuffed head of a wildebeest she shot when she was 15. Her father is a professional hunter. As a family ritual for her first kill, Lé-Mari was expected to eat the wildebeest's testicles but ended up only smearing her face with its blood."
Kuch said the NSPCA was repulsed by the picture of the girl standing below the animal she killed.
This was in conflict with the SPCA movement's ethos and policies, Kuch said.
"The NSPCA finds the matter offensive and the SPCA movement distances itself from this person," said Kuch in a statement.
Kuch said the NSPCA had contacted Marie Claire but had only been able to determine that the information came from a book entitled "Miss Beautiful".
The NSPCA had so far been unable to ascertain who organised the reported competition.
"Fervent enquiries would be made into the use of the SPCA's name and how such a person could be associated with it," Kuch said.
Sapa was unable to reach the magazine on Wednesday.
Source : Sapa /ag/ml
Date : 18 Mar 2009 17:41
