A dog owner from Mitchells Plain will face charges of animal cruelty and animal fighting after the Cape of Good Hope SPCA responded to an anonymous tip-off about a dog fight in Tafelsig Mitchells Plain on Tuesday, 1 February.
Inspectors Jaco Pieterse and March Syce responded to the call, and with assistance from the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit, one of the dogs involved in the fight was able to be traced and located.
The dog was seized in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and the owner was arrested and charged. Unfortunately, the whereabouts of the second dog, a brown Pitbull, is still unknown.
However, the SPCA is appealing to the public to help in their search for the second dog.
“We are calling on members of the public to come forward with any information that can assist us in finding this dog,” stated Chief Inspector Pieterse.
Dogfighting remains a criminal offence in South Africa as it is illegal. Any individual found guilty of participating in this cruel form of “entertainment” will be handed a fine of R80 000 and/or imprisonment of up to 24 months with a criminal record.
According to the SPCA, it is considered illegal to encourage any animal to attack another animal or promote animal fighting for profit or entertainment. It is also considered a criminal offence if these activities take place on property you own or live on, as well as watching dogfighting.
The SPCA is offering a reward of R5000 for any information that may lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of dog fighters.
Do your part to help stop the spread of this form of animal cruelty by visiting their website, emailing or giving them a call.
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 021 700 4158/9
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Picture: SPCA