The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is offering a R5000 reward for information that will help investigators arrest and prosecute the people involved in the killing of three pit bulls a week ago.
Also read: Warning: Graphic video and images of pit bulls brutally attacked and set alight in Cape Town
Allegedly, residents attacked the dogs in Gatesville after the animals had mauled and seriously injured a young girl.
As reported by News24, SPCA spokesperson Marisol Gutierrez says that “cruelty to animals is against the law and our offer of a reward is directly linked to holding the perpetrators of horrific animal abuse accountable, as our mandate requires.”
Gutierrez makes it clear that the organisation cares about both animals and people, and feels that often where there are problems with animals, it reflects that there are problems affecting people in the same environment.
The SPCA believes that it is impossible to separate the well-being of animals from the actions of people, and they are continuing to investigate the killing of the pit bulls.
Gutierrez reminds us that any dogs can bite, but that pit bulls have particularly been put in the spotlight because of the attacks on children. The issue is complex.
Also read: 5-year-old girl’s head left severely scarred after pit bull attack
“Many of these problems are linked to the irresponsible breeding and ownership of power breeds. There needs to be tighter regulation around power breeds – as well as enforcement of these regulations,” she added.
In a statement released by the City of Cape Town, it was made known that since July last year the city has impounded more than 800 dogs and received more than 200 complaints of dog-fighting.
“The City’s Animal Control Unit is in the process of compiling a docket pertaining to the attack on the young girl for the Directorate for Public Prosecutions to make a determination on the way forward,” says Alderman JP Smith.
He further explained that the unit is committed to ensuring that the incident that happened with the young girl will not be repeated.
Smith confirmed that the city is working closely with the SPCA and the Cape Animal Welfare Forum to find solutions and increase people’s understanding of the issues.
He reiterated that the biggest problem behind the animal welfare and safety issues often stems from the people who care for the dogs.
The Animals protection Act says that any person who “overloads, overdrives, overrides, ill-treats, neglects, infuriates, tortures or maims or cruelly beats, kicks, goads or terrifies any animal, shall be subject to the provisions of this Act and any other law, be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding R40 000 and/or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months or to such imprisonment without the option of a fine.”
The SPCA added that they “condemn in the strongest terms any cruelty to animals, which is against the law. We urge people to contact law enforcement if there is an issue with dogs roaming the streets, or an aggressive animal in a public space. It serves no purpose to demonise any breed. It only instils fear and achieves no positive outcome.”
Also read:
Picture: Pexels