On Sunday, December 12, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Inspector, Siviwe Noko and Cadet Inspector, Lwazi Ntungele monitored a dog show that was held in Parkwood, a suburb east of Southfield and northwest of Grassy Park.
According to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, inspectors often come across many disturbing violations at these informal dog shows.
Pitbull owners from far and wide come to compete in different activities, including high jumps and conformation. The most occurring violation is improper means of transportation used to transport the dogs.
While Inspector Noko was on patrol, he found one of the show dogs locked in a wooden box with little to no space, light and ventilation. The owner was indeed violating the terms of Section 2(1)(b) of the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962.
Inspector Noko immediately demanded that the owner remove the dog from the box and the owner refused, became obstructive and refused to cooperate. The owner was advised by Inspector Noko that a contravention of the Animals Protection Act is in fact a criminal and prosecutable offence and if he did not cooperate he would be arrested.
He also refused to give any of his details or provide any information before claiming that he was not the owner of the dog, and proceeded to take the dog out of the wooden box. Inspector Noko told the owner that he will be confiscating the dog if the man did not cooperate, thereafter the man fled the scene and drove off.
However, the man returned to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA where he was arrested by SAPS on charges of animal cruelty and obstruction in terms of the Animals Protection Act. The man appeared before the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court today, December 13.
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Picture/s: Cape of Good Hope SPCA