Pet owners must adhere to bylaws
PARRA regularly receives queries and comments relating to our local bylaws. We will therefore be highlighting some of the most concerning to our residents over the next few weeks.
This week we would like to look at the Prevention of Public Nuisances and Keeping of Animals bylaw.
Fuller details can be found on the Ndlambe Municipality’s website at www.ndlambe.gov.za.
The bylaws are very clear that should any person want to keep an animal on their premises (excluding those classified as “pets”), the owner is required to have written permission from Ndlambe Municipality.
Owners of wild animals must further ensure they have the relevant additional permit(s) as may be required by Ndlambe Municipality.
There may very well be further requirements which need to be submitted along with the request for such permission, such as the site plan of the property.
Applications need to be submitted to the Department of Community Protection Services (located next to the Civic Centre).
The municipality may grant or refuse such permission.
If the application is refused, the bylaws stipulate that the municipality is required to provide reasons for the refusal and there is a right to appeal by the applicant. The municipality may also grant such permission subject to certain conditions.
The stipulations relating to the keeping of dogs, cats and other pets is also dealt with in terms of Chapter III of this bylaw.
Residents in the Ndlambe municipal area may not keep more than two dogs and two cats without express permission from the municipality.
Breeders need to ensure they have additional specific permission from the municipality to breed animals.
An issue which is regularly raised with PARRA is dogs not being leashed in public spaces. It is important to note that an owner or keeper of a dog or cat may not allow their dog or cat to be in a public space unless it is on a leash or under physical control.
A pet owner who fails to do this is in contravention of the applicable bylaw but also may open themselves up to further legal action in the form a claim of actio de pauperie, should anyone be harmed by their animal.
Further civil litigation may be instituted by the victim of an attack which may include “payment for past and future medical costs, loss of earnings and general damages for pain and suffering”, which can amount to a huge financial claim against an owner.
Our residents, beachgoers and visitors are entitled to enjoy all public spaces without fear, as such, we remind all residents that dogs need to be on a leash and appropriately controlled.
Dog owners are further required to ensure their properties are adequately fenced to ensure their dogs are kept within their premises and that their dogs do not materially interfere with the comfort, convenience, peace or quiet of neighbours.
These interferences include: barking, yelping, howling, whining, charging or behaving in any other manner which affects neighbours’ comfort.
The municipality may seize any dog found in a public space. No kennel, cattery, pet shop or pet parlour may operate without the permission of the municipality and must not cause any nuisance to other people.
We ask our residents to please be responsible and considerate pet owners, both for the wellbeing of their animals and fellow residents and visitors to be able to enjoy our town.
We have a very good local SPCA and many other rescue groups that require support to keep up the good work.
PARRA is working hard for this community and our exco members voluntarily donate many hours to ensure the interests of ratepayers and residents are raised with Ndlambe.
If you live, work, own or rent in Port Alfred, Nemato, Station Hill or Thorn Hill, please get involved and help us build a better Port Alfred together. For membership forms: