SPCA urges residents to claim pets
The local SPCA believes that more animals will be dropped of at its kennels throughout the week.
FIFTEEN animals were admitted into the overnight kennels at the Kloof and Highway SPCA as big bangs rung through the night sky on New Year’s eve.
The staff at the local non-profit organisation predict more stray animals will dropped off at its premises in Kloof throughout the week.”The emergency line received numerous calls throughout the evening. Worried pet owners, whose pets had gone missing as a result of the loud, destructive fireworks and bangs, were at the NPO early the next morning hoping to claim their lost pets,” said Tersia Taskes, marketing and fundraising officer at the Kloof and Highway SPCA. “If your pet has gone missing we encourage you to come into our SPCA as soon as possible.”
Taskes advised pet owners to remain cautious during the next few days as the remainder of fireworks could be set off sporadically. “Stray animals can be brought to the SPCA’s standby kennels 24 hours a day at 29 Village Road in Kloof,” she said.
In emergencies, contact 073 335 9322. The organisation will continue with its normal operating hours, 8a to 4pm from Monday to Friday.
A few days before New Year’s celebrations kicked off, a 60-year-old man was arrested by members of the Durban Explosives Unit for dealing in fireworks using an alleged fake licence.
According to Colonel Thembeka Mbhele, spokesman for the KZN SAPS, the policemen were doing routine checks in the Pinetown central business district when they spotted a shop in Stanfield Lane selling fireworks.
“Police approached the shop and started their investigation. Upon checking the licence, they discovered that it was a fake and the owner was immediately arested. Fireworks, with a street value of up to R350 000, were seized from the shop. The shop owner is expected to make his first appearance in court soon,” said Col Mbhele.
The acting provincial commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Bheki Langa, appealed to shop owners who sell fireworks to comply with the Explosive Act. “Those who will be found contravening such an Act will face the long arm of the law.”
