Cape Town - Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA inspectors recently came to the rescue of dogs left abandoned in Thornton while their owners were reportedly on holiday.
On December 31, 2022, the SPCA received a complaint from a concerned member of the public about two dogs allegedly abandoned by their owner.
The complainant said he owner had been away for two weeks and that no one was coming to look after the dogs.
“Our team conducted an investigation on the same day the matter was reported to us.
“Upon our arrival at the property, no one was at home.
“Over the wall, the Inspectors could see a large amount of old faeces, and the grass was overgrown.
“There were all signs of the dogs either being abandoned or not being looked after,” the organisation said in a statement.
A warning was issued and stuck to the gate for the owners to contact the SPCA within 24 hours to establish if the dogs were abandoned.
Before the team left, they gave the dogs food and water.
The following day Inspectors returned to the property.
“Upon arrival, our Inspectors found no one at home and our warning was still stuck to the gate.
“With it being a public holiday, our Inspectors could not obtain a court order, and a further warning was issued and attached to the gate for the owner to contact the SPCA within 24 hours.”
Food and water were again provided to the dogs.
When the owners did not respond to the warnings, which were still on the gate, Inspectors applied for a court order from the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court to enter the property and seize the dogs.
“With court order in hand, our Inspectors returned to the property with the assistance of the Pinelands police.
“When our Inspectors entered the property, they found old faeces scattered all over, and the grass was overgrown.
“It was evident that the owners had not been home for some time.
“Both dogs were removed by our Inspectors and were taken to our Animal Care Centre in Grassy Park for veterinary examination and further care,” the SPCA said.
They added that criminal charges will be opened against the owner in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 for abandonment of their pets.
It is a criminal and prosecutable offence in terms of Section 2(1)(p) of the Animals Protection Act to abandon any animal, albeit deliberately or without reasonable cause or excuse, regardless of whether it is permanent or not or in circumstances likely to cause that animal unnecessary suffering.
Any person found guilty on a charge in terms of the Animal Protection Act may be sentenced to a fine of up to R40 000 and or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months, with a criminal record.
“When pet owners go away on holiday, they must do the responsible thing and get a pet sitter to look after the animals, or at the very least, the pet sitter must check in on the animals at least once a day,” said Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse.
Members of the public can report animal cruelty by calling the 24/7 call centre on 021 700 4158/9 or by sending an email to [email protected]
Cape Times