Warning: This article contains content that might upset readers.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA received a complaint from a concerned member of the public reporting a house full of cats in poor condition. After obtaining a court order and issuing the owner with a seizure notice, nine cats were confiscated.
One of the cats sadly passed away upon arriving at the SPCA, and four others had to be humanely euthanised due to their critically poor health.
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The Cape of Good Hope SPCA received a complaint from a concerned member of the public about a house full of sick cats in Tygerdal, Cape Town. It was also reported that the house was filthy on the inside and that cats could be seen scratching themselves in the windows.
On the same day that the complaint was lodged, inspectors of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA responded to the Tygerdal property to investigate, but they could not gain access to the property because no one was home. A warning was left for the owner to contact the SPCA within 24 hours.
The owner responded to the warning, and Inspector Werner Taljaard and Cadet Inspector Rowan Davids returned to the property to conduct an inspection. Upon their arrival, the two inspectors were met by a very hostile owner and her husband, who initially refused them access to the house. The owner’s husband let Werner and Rowan into the house after being told that a court order would be issued if he didn’t cooperate and let our inspectors in.
A foul, overpowering smell of urine and faeces attacked Werner and Rowan’s nostrils as they entered the house, and it was evident that both the owners and the cats had been living in flea-infested squalor.
The poor conditions were made worse by the fact that all of the windows and curtains were drawn, preventing any light or fresh air from entering the house. The owner was given written notice to take care of the cats’ medical needs, treat them for external parasites, and keep their living space clean.
Unfortunately, the owner ignored the warning, and so Werner obtained a court order in order to enter the property and seize all nine cats.
Returning to the property with a court order in hand, Werner knocked on the front door but received no response. He then called the office to arrange for a locksmith to come to the property and assist him in gaining access to the house. Werner waited for over 45 minutes at the property before the locksmith arrived.
When the locksmith attempted to open the front door, the owner appeared at the window, demanding to know what they wanted. Werner gave the owner a copy of the court order and asked her to open the front door, but she claimed she didn’t have a key because her husband had taken it. The locksmith then pointed out that this was not possible because the key was in the door. Werner told the owner to unlock the door and let them in, or she would be charged and arrested for obstruction. The owner complied and opened the door to let Werner in.
The living conditions had not changed at all. All of the windows and curtains remained closed, the house continued to stink, it was filthy, and the cats were still infested with fleas.
Werner discovered a cat in a rapidly deteriorating state.
After issuing the owner with a seizure notice, Werner quickly confiscated the nine cats and safely loaded them into his vehicle.
When Werner arrived at the SPCA, the dying cat sadly passed away. This cat was in extremely poor condition. Upon examination by our resident veterinarians, a further four cats had to be humanely euthanised due to their poor condition.
Some of the cats were in critical condition, according to Dr Rivona Ramnanan, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s head veterinarian. One of the cats couldn’t walk and had to drag its hind legs. All of the cats had a flea bite allergy, with fleas riddling their entire bodies.
“The house was extremely dirty. The smell inside the house was very bad. Urine and faeces were seen on the floor and furniture. I cannot understand how any person can live in such filth,” said Inspector Werner Taljaard.
The owner will now be facing charges of animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.
Any person found guilty of animal cruelty could face a fine of up to R40,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment with a criminal record.
The SPCA urges the public to please report any cruelty directly to our Inspectorate by calling its 24/7 call centre at 021 700 4158/9 or by sending an email to [email protected].
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
