SPCA in support of draft dog by-laws, with certain concerns

In response to the by-law relating to dogs 2018, which recently came under public scrutiny, Boksburg SPCA vice chairperson Willie du Plessis responded as follows:

“Generally, as the SPCAs in Ekurhuleni (there are nine) we are happy there is progress to promulgate one set of dog by-laws for the whole of the city and to replace the old by-laws, which date back to 1980, and which applied in each municipality at the time.

“The old by-laws were not always strictly enforced. We do have a concern about the draft by-law that there are no transitional provisions concerning the number of dogs a person may keep on a property. A comment will be submitted in this regard to the city.

“A transition provision would be better than persons having to apply for exemptions from day one after the promulgation of the by-laws.”

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Breeding

“As we deal with the consequences of uncontrolled breeding on a daily basis, the SPCA is in full support that all dogs, male or female, older than six months must be sterilised. This period could even be reduced to four months.
“This will definitely be of assistance in controlling future cruelty where dogs are breed in an uncontrolled manner.”

Licences

“We are also supportive of the provision that, should licence fees be implemented, there will be a reduced cost for sterilised dogs.”

Fencing

“We are also supportive of the fencing requirements to keep dogs in their yard, but this may, in some areas, be problematic to implement and control.

“The alternatives not spelt out in the by-laws that the City may wish to implement will have to be carefully considered to ensure that those alternatives do not lead to breach of the Animal Protection Act, 71 of 1962.

“There are also several provisions in the by-laws that are covered in the Animal Protection Act and we would recommend that they be removed from the by-laws. An example is the provision in Section 22(1)(j) of the by-laws dealing with chaining of dogs.”

Vicious dogs

“The sections on keeping vicious dogs are welcomed but will have to be implemented carefully so as not to lead to abuse of the sections that prescribe how the dogs must be dealt with.

“The above are some of the important stand-out provisions for us as SPCAs but we are concerned and trust that the City will have the resources to deal with the by-laws from an administrative and law enforcement point of view,” Du Plessis concluded.

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