Video evidence puts SPCA on high alert
THE Cape of Good Hope SPCA is on high alert, fearing dogfighting may be on the rise again after nine dogs were rescued by law enforcement animal control in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, this week.
This after SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse and Inspector Mark Syce obtained a court order following an anonymous tip-off of a dogfighting incident with a video.
SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said inspectors on the scene on Tuesday found dogs on short static chains while some dogs had deep tissue scarring, a clear indication of dogfighting.
Inspectors also discovered backyard breeding taking place.
The dogs were confiscated and were now being kept at the animal hospital for veterinary assessment and treatment.
Abraham said they were disheartened by the incident.
“The dogs used for fighting have the unmistakable scarring patterns of those forced to fight.
“We are disheartened by this incident because it involves young children.
“While we have recently seen a decline in dogfighting cases, this appears to have been temporary and we are getting reports again,” she said.
The dogfighting world has been described as dark with money often changing hands for winning dogs, drugs and weapons.
Animal Welfare Society of South Africa spokesperson Allan Perrin said this comes as they have noticed a marked decline in the number of incidences on the Cape Flats.
“We put this down to our strategy of education instead of confiscation and prevention as opposed to prosecution.
“This strategy definitely works for us with remarkable results. No cases over the past three years,” he said, adding that they condemned any dogfighting.
The public is urged to report any animal cruelty on 021 700 4158/9 during office hours or on 083 326 1604 after hours. For more information, visit capespca.co.za.