‘Worst we’ve seen,’ says SPCA
THE SPCA has said this year was definitely the worst year its seen with dozens of dogs finding their way to the organisation after the New Year fireworks.
While the use of fireworks over the festive season again resulted in a massive outcry from animal lovers throughout the city, Kimberley and surrounding areas enjoyed a peaceful New Year’s celebration with law enforcement and emergency services yesterday saying that 2018 got under way in the city with very few major offences being recorded.
However, staff of the SPCA have had their hands full with 41 stray animals currently in their care, after apparently taking to the streets in terror, courtesy of the illegal use of fireworks.
Spokesperson for the SPCA, Mario van der Westhuizen, said yesterday that they had experienced a very busy festive season with terrified animals frantically trying to escape the sporadic explosions.
“This year was definitely worse than we’ve seen,” he said. “We had about 15 or 16 dogs come in over the weekend and some are still coming. Some dogs are still running around in the streets.”
Van der Westhuizen added that despite being severely traumatised, the majority of the animals had been spared any physical injuries apart from those that were self-inflicted while trying to escape the fireworks.
“We have one spaniel that was hurt when she got stuck in some devils’ fork fencing, while most were clearly terrified but fortunately, there were not any animals that came to major physical harm.
“We still have several strays at the SPCA that are waiting for their owners to collect them after a very busy weekend.”
There are currently 41 stray dogs at the facility and members of the public who are missing their pets are encouraged to enquire.
Among the charges that were opened on New Year’s Eve was a case of arson after a lapa in Carrington Road, believed to be on the property of Agriculture MEC, Norman Shushu, caught alight.
Emergency services were called to the scene in order to bring the blaze under control.
Head of communication for the SAPS in the province, Lieutenant-Colonel Dimakatso Mooi, confirmed that, among other charges opened over the weekend, police are investigating the fire in Carrington Road on Sunday evening.
“A case of arson was opened after a lapa caught alight,” she said. “No one was injured. At the moment the cause of fire is unknown.”
She added that police were involved in various operations over the long weekend, resulting in multiple arrests.
“A number of people were arrested for different crimes such as possession and dealing in drugs, driving without a licence, drinking in public, house breaking, malicious damage to property, assaults, thefts and murder.”