SPCA to no longer collect stray animals in Mogale City

After the Krugersdorp SPCA closed down, the Roodepoort SPCA took over the pound duties in Mogale City. But after trying to engage with the municipality for the past couple of years, they have decided not to collect stray and unwanted animals from the Krugersdorp area any longer.

Manager and senior inspector at the Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp SPCA, Mandi Cattanach explained that the Roodepoort SPCA never had an agreement with Mogale City to perform its pound duties.

The Roodepoort SPCA took on the responsibility of enforcing laws which protect animals when the Krugersdorp SPCA closed its doors.”

She added that over the last couple of years, they attempted to negotiate with Mogale City for pound status but their emails and calls were ignored. Unfortunately, the Roodepoort SPCA cannot carry the cost of the Mogale City pound.

“Mogale City is a large area and for us to travel to Tarlton is an entire morning trip. Petrol and vehicle costs are high, staff salaries must be paid, and caring for the animals alone is costly.” She said that after several meetings, their management committee decided that enough is enough and they can no longer perform pound services without being compensated. These services were suspended from July 1.

She added that if Mogale City does decide to approach the Roodepoort SPCA with a proposal to perform pound duties, they will reconsider.

“Taxpayers pay the municipality for services to be rendered, the animal pound is one of those services. We will, however, still be enforcing the animal protection laws in the Mogale City area.”

She further stresses that Mogale City does not have the community’s best interest at heart and does not take animal welfare seriously.

“The best way I can explain this situation is with a Mahatma Gandhi quote: ‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated’. The purpose of any SPCA is to investigate animal cruelty complaints and where necessary prosecute offenders. Many SPCAs have closed their doors due to a lack of funding. We must take steps to prevent this from happening to us.”

With this service no longer being provided, it means that stray and uncared-for animals will be running loose in the streets. These animals sometimes harbour diseases and one stray dog with rabies can cause an outbreak. Stray dogs also rip open rubbish bags or cause accidents by running into the streets. If a stray dog wanders too close to an aggressive dog and that is coupled with irresponsible owners, more dog attacks could take place.

“It is the municipality’s responsibility to enforce the municipal animal by-laws, such as dogs barking excessively, dogs in the street, and so on. It is not the SPCAs responsibility.”

The role of the SPCA is to enforce animal welfare and they can be contracted by a municipality to perform pound duties as they have the experience and infrastructure.

“SPCA inspectors carry out proactive inspections at all facilities where animals are kept and housed such as pet shops, animal shelters, sale yards, zoos and so on.”

The Krugersdorp News has requested comment from Mogale City Local Municipality and will publish their response whenever received.