The Cape of Good Hope SPCA recently pursued an ongoing investigation that was led by Chief Inspector, Jaco Pieterse in a matter involving a man who uses dogs to beg for money from people who were passing by.
According to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, the inspectorate received multiple complaints about the offender who is usually situated at the corner of Buitengracht Road and Walter Sisulu Avenue intersection near the Cape Town Internation Convention Centre (CTICC).
Mr Selwyn Taylor was previously caught by the SPCA standing in the blazing sun with no water or shelter and his dogs were taken away from him.
On Sunday, 7 February, Taylor became irate and aggressive when he was approached by Chief Inspector, Jaco Pieterse which obstructed him from performing his duty. The situation became physical when the inspector attempted to remove the puppy.
Luckily, Cllr Rob Quintas, MMC for Urban Mobility in the City of Cape Town who accompanied Chief Inspector Pieterse intervened and tried to calm the situation. Taylor resorted to violence and physically assaulted the MMC and in the process strangled the puppy.
Chief Inspector Pieterse tried to restrain Taylor to stop him from assaulting the MMC and strangling the puppy, but he continued his resistance and assault on both the MMC and the puppy. Fortunately, a City of Cape Town Traffic Service vehicle came past and witnessed the incident. The offices stopped to assist Chief Inspector Pieterse and Cllr Quintas.
Mr Taylor was restrained, arrested and taken to the Cape Town Central Police Station for processing where he was charged for obstruction in terms of Section 8(4) of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, common assault and contraventions of the City of Cape Town Animal Keeping By-Law which earned him a two day overnight behind bars before he appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates Court this morning, 8 February.
“It was a surreal experience, having had left the house in the hope of rescuing other animals, and then finding myself in between a scuffle, and being assaulted by a repeat offender who uses puppies as begging proper in the middle of one of Cape Town’s busiest intersections. I was not prepared under any circumstance to let the puppy go, and have no remorse in having received a few punches and elbow blows in the process. I can only commend the thorough commitment to duty by Chief Inspector Pieterse, as well as the City Traffic and City Improvement District peace officers who intervened and assisted in the arrest and transport of the suspect to the Cape Town Central SAPS,” said Cllr Robs Quintas.
It is an offence in terms of the Animal Keeping By-Law to make use of an animal for begging and financial gain or to sell an animal in a public road or space.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA appeals to all members of the public to not support the exploitation of animals or to purchase any puppies or kittens from illegal hawking on the side of the road. This only fuels the illegal trade and the animal are subjected to immense cruelty and suffering.
The puppy was secured and transported to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA where he was given the name Walter. If you are willing to give Walter a forever loving home, contact the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s adoption team on 021 700 4152 or send an email to [email protected].
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA