Dog attacks and animal cruelty require collective action

25 November 2022

While the spotlight is on the management of power breeds in the wake of several incidents around the country in recent weeks, statistics around impounded dogs and dog fighting complaints show that the level of care for the animals involved, but also public safety, is far from adequate.

As the City and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA continue investigations into this week's events in Athlone that resulted in an attack on a child by three pit-bulls before the dogs were tortured and set alight by a mob, the issue of animal welfare and public safety continues to rage on – particularly in the context of more attacks in other parts of the country.

'We are committed to ensuring that we do not see a repeat of the events earlier this week, and that is why the City is working closely with the SPCA and the Cape Animal Welfare Forum to find solutions, but also to raise the level of understanding and awareness around animal welfare and the responsibility of dog owners towards public safety.  

'Our Animal Control Unit statistics show a clear increase in the number of dogs impounded over the course of this year, but also dog fighting complaints and dockets for investigation into attacks on other animals or people. We reiterate the point that the problem lies with the people in whose care these dogs find themselves,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

LAW ENFORCEMENT ANIMAL CONTROL UNIT INTERVENTIONS: JULY 2021 – SEPTEMBER 2022

INVESTIGATION INTO ATHLONE INCIDENT

The City's Animal Control Unit is in the process of compiling a docket pertaining to the attack on the young girl for the Directorate for Public Prosecutions to make a determination on the way forward.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA continues its investigation into the brutal killing of the three (3) dogs by the community.

The SPCA is offering a R5 000 reward for information that can lead to the positive identification, arrest and prosecution of the persons involved in the attack on the dogs, in terms of the Animals Protection Act.

Among the provisions of the Act, 'any person who: (a )overloads, overdrives, overrides, ill-treats, neglects, infuriates, tortures or maims or cruelly beats, kicks, goads or terrifies any animal shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and any other law, be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding R40 000 and/or imprisonment for a period not exceeding twelve months or to such imprisonment without the option of a fine.'

The full Act is available here: https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201505/act-71-1962.pdf

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office