Community encouraged to report matters to relevant authorities

Edenvale SPCA appealed to the community to contact its emergency line in case of an emergency instead of posting complaints on social media platforms.

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This comes after the branch was informed through social media of an apparent dog fight taking place in the community last month.

In a Facebook post, Edenvale SPCA explained that on January 13 it was brought to the attention of the branch that a Pitbull Terrier was found roaming on the streets in the Illiondale

It was further alleged that there was an active dog fight going on as the Pitbull was injured.

After Edenvale SPCA was informed of the matter Inspector Hope Mokalapa and trainee inspector Udo Salchow visited the address of where the injured dog was residing.

After speaking to the owners of the injured animal Mokalapa and Salchow were informed that the Pitbull’s owners had taken two of their dogs to a veterinarian for a follow-up consultation.

The owners advised the SPCA that the reason the two dogs were taken to a veterinarian was that one of the dogs had a cancerous cyst, lesions from skin allergies and infection.

The Facebook post further stated that Edenvale SPCA conducted a thorough investigation and consulted with the owner’s private veterinarian involved in the examination of the dogs.

It confirmed that the injured dog was never involved in any fights with dogs in the neighbourhood nor was it involved in any deliberate dogfighting rings.

The Pitbull had no new or fresh wounds and the veterinarian diagnosed the dog with skin lesions caused by skin allergies and infections.

The lesions caused by the allergies were being treated for some time already.

The SPCA was further informed that the Pitbull was taken to the vet because it had had cancer and had a discharge from the mass around its genitals.

In light of the matter committee member and secretary for Edenvale SPCA Jade de Bruyn said members of the public taking to social media to raise their concerns about animal welfare in Edenvale are uncommon.

She said the public call the branch directly to report any complaints, especially in emergencies.

“We may receive the odd direct message on the Facebook page or directly to my personal cellphone as the former inspector,” said de Bruyn.

She said the most common posts on social media in Edenvale are about stray animals and on the odd occasion, someone asking for advice if they don’t know that they can call the SPCA after hours.

Giving her thoughts on the reasons as to why people take to social media de Bruyn said she thinks some people still don’t know that can contact the SPCA.

“Nowadays people may revert to social media because they think they may receive a quicker response which is not true.”

She believes community members may also post matters on social media in the hopes of getting clarity or reassurance from others on social media.

“I think in this case, it was just how it was interpreted by the general public based on the words that were posted and it was just a one-sided story,” said de Bruyn

“Unfortunately, the general public tends to react on emotions.”

De Bruyn said if this had been a serious case, the social media post could have jeopardised the case in many ways, and even more so if the case had gone to court.

“The dog fighters could have seen the post and the dogs could have been removed to a new unknown location and we wouldn’t have found the dogs,” said de Bruyn.

She said when a complaint is brought to the attention of Edenvale SPCA, it is handled with sensitivity.

“One must remember that we have to find out both sides of the story to enable us to do a proper investigation and conclude findings.”

De Bruyn said all cases should be handled with care before any information is put out there.

“In this specific case, the facts that were posted on social media were wrong and upset many people, especially the owners of the dogs, which we can totally understand,” explained de Bruyn.

“The owners could have laid charges against the person who made the original post.”

To reduce the problem, de Bruyn advised community members to contact their nearest SPCA when requiring help.

“We are here to answer all the questions, there will be times that people are unhappy with our responses. Like with breeding, it is not illegal and, therefore, we can’t stop your neighbour from breeding but we can and will do a welfare check anytime,” said de Bruyn.

“If one is not sure, just ask. We work as a team and we will find a way to help wherever we can. We always have an open-door policy and we welcome anyone from our community to pop in and chat for a bit if they need any advice,” emphasised de Bruyn.

Edenvale SPCA can be contacted on:
• After hours Emergency Number: 072 183 9794
• Landline (Office Hours) : (011)974-9387 and (011)974-9268
• Email Address: inspector@edenvalespca.co.za
• Alternatively, follow its Facebook page.

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