A busy 2021 for SPCA Nelspruit with 438 cruelty complaints investigated
During 2021, the Nelspruit SPCA inspectorate served its community with pride.
The SPCA said one of the most important functions of the inspectorate is proactive work. The aim is to prevent cruelty by means of outreaches in communities to educate animal owners. Outreaches were done in Matsulu, KaNyamazane, Matsafeni and Nkomazi.
Routine inspections were conducted at 27 facilities where animals are being utilised, kept, trained, displayed or bred.
“This includes hundreds of thousands of animals in kennels, grooming parlours, poultry abattoirs, red meat abattoirs, wildlife facilities (zoos, sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres), sale yards and feedlots, pet shops and petting farms. By doing these inspections, we ensure welfare standards are adhered to by rectifying potential issues before they result in active cruelty.”
A total of 438 cruelty complaints were investigated in Mbombela, Komatipoort, Nkomazi, Malalane, Hectorspruit, Lydenburg, Hazyview, Waterval Boven, Machadodorp and Carolina. The sister societies in White River and Barberton were also assisted on occasion.
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A total of 48 warnings/notices were issued. These were issued for contraventions of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and grant owners the opportunity to rectify matters before legal steps are taken.
“Most of the warnings were for lack of veterinary care, lack of food, water and shelter, illegal chaining, illegal hunting, and transport issues. We also had to obtain three warrants where owners refused us access.
“Emergency response is also a very important aspect of our daily activities. This is always a priority as we need to attend to suffering animals as quick as possible.”
Most of these emergencies were dogs, cats, cattle and wildlife that had been hit by vehicles, animals stuck in fences, shooting incidents and abandoned babies where the mother had died.
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“The Nelspruit SPCA inspectorate team is committed to the animals in our community. We always first try to rectify problems by educating owners and giving advice. Only when education fails, warnings will be issued.
“Prosecution only takes place after warnings have been ignored, or when a situation is so severe that immediate legal action is required.”
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