Animal matters nothing to bark at

13 June 2025

The City’s Animal Control Unit (ACU) has responded to 3 465 complaints during the first five months of 2025 about stray and dangerous animals, barking and animals being abused or neglected. This is a slight uptick on 3 313 complaints over the same period last year.

In addition, officers issued 660 notices and impounded 1 263 dogs, cats and livestock this year, compared to 491 notices and 1 668 impoundments. Animals are impounded under a number of circumstances including if they are strays, are roaming in areas where they are a danger to themselves or others, and whether they’ve been involved in an attack on a person or other animals.
 
Most notices are issued for the following reasons:

• Failure to ensure that a dog over the age of six months is sterilised
• Keeping more than three dogs, over the age of six months at dwelling (house)
• Failure to prevent any animal from attacking, worrying or frightening any other person or animal
• Failure to ensure that the dangerous animal does not escape from the premises where it is kept
   
  ‘The decrease in the number of impoundments indicates a greater awareness of how to care for and ensure the well-being of animals. Cape Town residents are animal lovers and most of our pet owners only want the best for their animal companions, but we’re also cognisant that a small percentage of people own animals purely for gain. Then there are some who are unable or unwilling to properly care for their pets. The ACU responds to complaints ranging from unsterilised animals to incidents of nuisance and more serious cases. In February one person was arrested in relation to a dogfighting ring while in March another was arrested for performing veterinary procedures without registration. Video evidence showed the individual using superglue to reattach a dog’s torn ear, causing the animal visible pain and distress,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
   
  In an effort to improve the lives of domestic animals, the City’s Domestic Animal Survey concluded recently and the findings are being collated.
   
  While the survey aimed to ascertain the number of pets, their vaccination and sterilisation status and the type of animal healthcare accessed in times of need, the outcomes will help shape future planning and interventions on animal welfare in Cape Town, and provide an estimate of the domestic animal population.
   
  ‘We want to create a better life for all the animals, whether pets, livestock or working animals. Knowledge about the animal population will help us to allocate resources, manage potential issues and guide us on policy development that affect pets and their owners. They are after all, our best friends,’ added Alderman Smith.
   
   
  End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office