Three suspects were arrested, and four dogs confiscated, over the weekend when the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit broke up a dog fight.
When they arrived at he property in Atlantis on Saturday, Inspector Jaco Pieterse and Inspector Mark Syce found two dogs fighting and the suspects involved trying to flee the scene. The dogs sustained severe injuries and were taken away for treatment. They suffered multiple lacerations and puncture wounds from the fight.
The unit later traced the event organiser and arrested him. Two others – the property owner and another person trying to interfere during the investigation – were also into custody.
Cape Town’s Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, called dog fighting cruel and barbaric with no place in our society.
“I call on members of the public who have knowledge of this practice to please come forward, so that those involved can be held to account for their actions. If you see, or know something, say something. Call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone, or 107 from a landline,” he said.
The dogs are in the custody of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA for care and will remain with them until the case is concluded.
Did you know dog fighting is a criminal offence?
- Dog fighting is illegal in South Africa.
- A person found guilty for 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 manner 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 and It is a crime to promote animal fighting for monetary gain or entertainment.
- It is also considered a crime to allow any one 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.
You can report dog fighting or cruelty to animals to inspmanager@spca-ct.co.za or contact 0217004158/9 during office hours. You can also report cruelty online via our website at https://capespca.co.za/report-cruelty/ or by calling the after-hours number 083 326 1604.
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