Constable Rubashnee Naicker (Cape Town Metropolitan Police Department) knew she had to act quickly to get help for a dog she spotted chained and padlocked so tightly to a fence that he was unable to move, let alone sit down. After flagging down two Law Enforcement colleagues for assistance, the Constable returned to the scene in Woodstock just in the nick of time. The dog was frothing profusely from the mouth, gasping for air and trying to claw his way up the fence to escape what had essentially become a noose around his neck.
While the team struggled to help the dog, a man casually walked over with a key, unlocked the padlock that secured the chain, and they watched in horror as the dog slid to the ground, eyes closed, seemingly lifeless. Fortunately, they were able to revive him with some water, and that’s when they noticed the fresh fighting wounds on his face and head.
In an email of thanks to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Constable Naicker tells us that “15 minutes after I called the incident in to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on Sunday the 9th of April 2023, Inspector Werner Taljaard had secured the dog in his vehicle, and arrested the suspect (who had being detained by Metro Police at the site) on charges of Animal Cruelty”.
What could easily have been the worst day of this dog’s life became his best day ever. It’s the first time he was ever called “a good boy”, and likely the first time he had ever known a kind hand.
But when an interrogation of the suspect revealed that he had additional animals at home, Inspector Taljaard knew his job was not yet done.
Escorted by Constable Naicker and Law Enforcement Officers Ruanlan Bestbier, and Lance Kayster, Inspector Taljaard proceeded to the suspect’s home in search of the remaining animals. What he found was a 1mx1m wooden box, containing two mixed-breed juvenile dogs. The dogs were living in a pile of urine and faeces infested with maggots. Inspector Taljaard says, “one of the dogs, on hearing our approach began to desperately attempt to free himself from the enclosure. I opened the enclosure and nearly vomited from the stench that greeted me. The enclosure was riddled with urine and faeces, it was dark and had little ventilation and I was horrified when I realised that these dogs had been permanently confined to this situation.”
These two dogs were also immediately seized and all three were taken to the closest veterinary practise for assessment. The suspect was taken to the Woodstock Police Station where charges of animal cruelty were laid in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.
It is a criminal offence in terms of the Animals Protection Act No.71 of 1962 2(b) to confine, chain, tether, or secure any animal unnecessarily or under such conditions or in such a manner or position as to cause that animal unnecessary suffering or in any place which affords inadequate space, ventilation, light protection or shelter from heat, cold or weather. This criminal offence is punishable by law and may result in a 12-month prison term or a maximum fine of R40 000.00.
Constable Naicker said it best when she said, “it is sad to see animals that have no voice being treated cruelly. It is the responsibility of each one of us to play our part in helping these animals”.
We’re so thankful to her, Law Enforcement and Woodstock SAPS for fighting animal cruelty alongside us! We are equally thankful to each and every person who supports the work of our Inspectorate financially, you are all part of our team!
For more information on the chaining of dogs, read
