SPCA regularly inspects guard dogs’ conditions

Garden Route SPCA:

With reference to the article 'Sekuriteitshonde is werkshonde' (George Herald, 28 March).

In terms of Papa (Performing Animal Protection Act), if animals are moved off the premises where they live, to a temporary facility where they do safeguarding, the license holder must provide suitable housing, protection, food, water and shelter during that time.

The licence holder must ensure that all animals have adequate space, access to food and water and shelter which protects them from all elements.

The condition of all the animals on the property is inspected and noted, not just physical conditions but mentally also. Housing, kennel management, equipment and vehicles should be clean and in good working order.

A complete list of animals, their identification (tattooed or microchipped), date obtained / birth and date of sale / death must be on record.

A work programme for each animal, records of all illnesses, injuries and treatments for each animal should be readily available.

Records of veterinary visits and approved health and welfare plans must also be available. Feed rooms, dipping and play areas are inspected and it must be ensured that all relevant paperwork (licences / certificates) match those of the working animals.

It is important to know all security companies in our area, not only to give warnings, educate, give recommendations and open a case of cruelty when necessary, but because it makes it easier to identify new companies or individuals that are operating illegally, which the SPCA follows up with Dr Edwin Dyason, the state vet, to see if they have their licenses.

The Act states the owner of an animal that is exhibited or trained, or dogs used for safeguarding, must hold a licence.

Checking, maintaining and improving welfare standards are the reasons the

SPCA inspects and monitors dogs used for safeguarding, both on and off duty.

This includes the general condition of the dogs, the kennels, transportation, general animal husbandry and kennel management. Any welfare concerns are handled in exactly the same way we would if there were comparable welfare issues at boarding kennels or breeding facilities in our area.

If anything is remiss with the facilities, handling or transportation of the dogs, these matters fall under the Animals Protection Act (Apa) and should be treated as Apa issues, regardless of the function of the dogs.

We spot-check all facilities on a regular basis of security companies working with dogs. We inspect all aspects, whether it is on their own premises or secondary places where they safeguard, like the mall and taxi rank, etc.

We do not condone confinement of any animal and it is advised that the kennels at these primary facilities are minimum two metres wide and four metres in length and 1,8 metres in height, as per our checklist given by us from NSPCA. Security companies must adhere to the standards that are provided to them by

Daff (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries).