Owner of goat killed by dog turns to SPCA
AN Ekuphumleni resident whose goats have been attacked, and one killed, by a dog on a nearby property has asked the police and the SPCA to sanction the dog’s owner and pay compensation for the loss of his animal.
Vumile Patrick Bhulo, who has had similar problems in the past with cattle he owns, said his goats wander about the township because there is no commonage in the township.
“Something needs to be done. I have lost a goat because the dogs on this woman’s property escape through holes in the fence and attack my goats,” Bhulo said.
The subject of free-roaming animals is a universal problem for the Eastern Cape, and has been the cause of many road accidents, often resulting in injury – and even death.
Talk of the Town asked SAPS spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender if the police had any solutions to offer.
“I have spoken to the officer to whom the incident was reported,” Govender said. “No charges were laid, and the dog’s owner has stated that she has never set her dogs on any animals, but that they were simply protecting her property. This would be a very difficult case to try in court.”
Bhulo said that the dogs are behind a fence, but that there are gaps where the dogs escape and attack his animals. However, it appears that the land in front of the property where the goat was killed is private land, also owned by the owner of the dogs.
The SPCA was the next stop for Bhulo. Inspector Anel Slabbert explained her conundrum.
“This is a difficult case. As far as I can see, the problems lie in the fact there is no commonage for the animals in the township to wander. And with the housing developments going on, the amount of grassland is being reduced.
“The dogs are protecting their property, but they should be kept in a controlled environment. On the other hand, the goat owners must also keep their animals secure and not allow them to wander,” she said.