Warning: This article contains content that may upset readers.
Constable Rubashnee Naicker of the Cape Town Metropolitan Police Department knew she had to act quickly to help a dog she saw chained and padlocked to a fence so tightly that he couldn’t move, let alone sit down.
After flagging down two law enforcement colleagues for assistance, the constable returned to the scene in Woodstock just in time. The dog was frothing at the mouth, gasping for air and clawing his way up the fence to free himself from what had essentially become a noose around his neck.
Also read: Graphic content: SPCA welcomes suspended sentence for dogfighting
The team was struggling to help the dog when a man with a key casually approached, unlocked the padlock that was holding the chain in place, and they watched in horror as the dog slid to the ground with its eyes closed, seemingly lifeless.
They were able to revive him with water, and it was then that they noticed the fresh fighting wounds on his face and head.
Constable Naicker thanked the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in an email, saying that 15 minutes after reporting the incident to the SPCA on Sunday, 9 April 2023, Inspector Werner Taljaard had secured the dog in his vehicle and arrested the suspect, who had been detained by Metro Police at the scene on charges of animal cruelty.
When the suspect’s interrogation revealed that he had additional animals at home, Inspector Taljaard realised his job was not yet done.
Inspector Taljaard searched the suspect’s home for the remaining animals, escorted by Constable Naicker and law enforcement officers Ruanlan Bestbier and Lance Kayster.
He discovered a 1-by-1-metre wooden box with two mixed-breed juvenile dogs inside.
The dogs were reportedly living in a pile of maggot-infested urine and faeces.
‘One of the dogs, on hearing our approach, began to desperately attempt to free himself from the enclosure,’ explained Inspector Taljaard. ‘I opened the enclosure and nearly vomited from the stench that greeted me. The enclosure was riddled with urine and faeces; it was dark and had little ventilation, and I was horrified when I realised that these dogs had been permanently confined to this situation.’
The dogs were seized right away and taken to the nearest veterinary clinic for evaluation.
The suspect was taken to the Woodstock Police Station, where he was charged with animal cruelty under the Animals Protection Act (71 of 1962).
Constable Naicker said, ‘It is sad to see animals that have no voice being treated cruelly. It is the responsibility of each one of us to play our part in helping these animals.’
Also read:
World Earth Day: UCT hosts 5km walk around Rondebosch Common
Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
