Trigger warning: This story contains sensitive details pertaining to animal cruelty. Reader discretion is advised.
This week, Inspectors of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, in partnership with the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement: Animal Control Unit, investigated a case of dog fighting in Parkwood, Cape Town.
Video footage of puppies being trained to fight was handed to the SPCA, which sparked the investigation.
The video footage:
The video footage provided to the SPCA was allegedly taken the previous day. It shows how a group of youngsters, some as young as 7 -years-old, are enticing three Pit Bull terrier-type pups to attack each other. The estimated age of the pups is approximately four months.
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The pups were being trained to become fighting dogs. When the pups did not want to attack each other, they were antagonised to continue fighting. One puppy tried to get away but was unable to as he was held tightly on a leash, forced to defend himself.
The investigation:
Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse and Inspector Mark Syce, accompanied by officers of Law Enforcement: Animal Control Unit, arrived at the property with a court order in hand.
On the property, the Inspectors found two puppies that could be seen in the video footage. The team immediately seized them and two other dogs in terms of the Animals Protection Act, read together with Regulation 468. The entire property was searched, and further evidence was gathered.
This resulted in two further addresses being raided by the team.
The team seized a further four dogs that were uncovered. The adult Pit Bull terrier-type dogs found had severe old and new scarring and wounds associated with dogfighting. The dogs were also being kept in dirty and parasitic conditions.
Photos:
Criminal charges:
The SPCA will now lay criminal charges of illegal animal fighting and animal cruelty against the culprits in terms of the Animals Protection Act.
“I am always shocked at people’s understanding of what it means to be kind to animals when they keep them in appalling living conditions and use them for fighting purposes. None of these dogs deserved the suffering they had to endure because of blood-hungry individuals,” said Inspector Mark Syce of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA
The rescued dogs are now in a place of safety and will never have to endure any fights again in their life.
“Dogfighting is a barbaric sport and has no place in modern society. The rescued dogs are being kept at an undisclosed location for their own safety and the safety of our staff,” said Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA
The law:
Dogfighting is illegal in South Africa. A person found guilty of any involvement in dogfighting is liable for a fine of R80 000 and/or imprisonment of up to 24 months with a criminal record.
It is a crime to be involved in any way with the fighting of animals or to own, keep, train or breed animals used for fighting. It is also illegal to buy, sell or import these animals. Moreover, it is a criminal offence to incite/encourage or allow any animal to attack another animal or proceed to fight. It is a crime to promote animal fighting for monetary gain or entertainment.
It is also considered a crime to allow any of these activities to take place on a property you own, live on or have control of.
It is a crime to watch dogfighting as is being on the same property where dogfighting is taking place.
Report any act of illegal dogfighting:
Cruelty reports can be made in strict confidence by emailing [email protected] or telephonically by calling 021 700 4158/9 during office hours. You can also report cruelty at capespca.co.za or by calling the after-hour number on 083 326 1604.
“More than just a bloodthirsty sport, dogfighting is a cruel form of inhumane entertainment that is used by criminal gangs to groom youth in our communities and recruit them into a violent society where death becomes an acceptable norm. There is nothing normal about such cowardly human behaviour. While communities are buckling under the terror inflicted by such gangs, the City calls upon these same communities to take note of those involved in the illegal sport of dogfighting, and to report it,” said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security for the City of Cape Town
Joint partnership with the City of Cape Town:
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA and City of Cape Town Law Enforcement announced in early 2021 they are joining forces in a quest to eradicate dogfighting activities in Cape Town. The partnership has joint responsibility with The SPCA as custodian of the Animal Protection Act and Law Enforcement as the custodian of the City Bylaws, which both govern and impact issues pertaining to dogfighting. The partnership also ensures a close working relationship to educate and raise awareness to stop dog fighting.
Donations can be made to the SPCA to help keep the dogs safely kept.
Also read:
SPCA rescues Cape Town pony after being continuously whipped
Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
