Man held after tip-off of alleged dog fighting ring

POLICE have arrested a 26-yearold man after three pit bull terriers were rescued from a suspected dog fighting ring in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain.

The dogs are undergoing treatment for severe wounds at the SPCA’s hospital in Grassy Park, and will remain under the veterinarian’s care while inspectors from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA pursue a case of animal cruelty under the animal fights clause against a dog’s owner.

Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said the man was arrested on Friday will appear in court soon.

“It is alleged that the complainant called the SPCA when he heard dogs were set up to fight. The officials of SPCA arrived on scene and confiscated the animals,” he said.

On Wednesday, the SPCA was tipped off about a suspected dog fighting ring in Tafelsig.

Two SPCA inspectors along with law enforcement officers went to investigate.

Spokesperson for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Wanika Davids said the owner was not at home.

The SPCA was granted access to the premises where they found a brown and white female pit bull tied to a short chain in her shelter. She had scars from possible dog fights.

“These scars are concentrated around the facial area, ears, chest and front limbs – all indicative of typical dog fighting. She also appeared to be suffering from a skin condition,” Davids said.

Officers found a second pit bull on the other side of the property, a light brown male which appeared to be in pain and distress.

Davids said the dog’s face was severely swollen and he had fresh, open wounds to his face, chest and front limbs.

She said a third pit bull found was a light brown female, also kept on a short chain.

“She had a severe, open injury to her right ear, which was almost completely off – again, indicative of being involved in a dogfight,” Davids said. “It will be up to the court to decide what will happen to them, but such monstrous behaviour must be removed from our society,” she said. siyavuya.mzantsi@inl.co.za

@Siyavuya2