Court ruling not an ‘OK’ to keep pets in Marloth
Despite a High Court ruling in favour of pet owners', residents of Marloth Park are still not allowed to keep domestic pets, as per the municipal bylaws.
MARLOTH PARK – Domestic pets are still not allowed in the town despite pet owners’ victory in the Nelspruit High Court last week.
A group of more than 30 pet owners were served High Court summons in February last year by the Nkomazi Local Municipality for not adhering to the bylaws.
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Domestic pets are not allowed in Marloth Park to prevent diseases being spread between them and the wildlife of the neighbouring Kruger National Park and other ecological problems. Despite this, some residents and visitors still keep pets.
After many warnings and fines, the municipality decided to enforce this bylaw and approached the court for an interdict to have the pets removed from Marloth Park.
After almost 21 months, the court ruled in favour of the defendants (pet owners) and the application was dismissed with costs.
This news caused a stir on social media with many interpreting the judgement as legalising the keeping of pets. However, the victory was only in regards to the civil matter of pets not being removed from their owners.
The municipality was ordered to review their bylaws relating to the keeping of domestic pets in Marloth Park within 18 months.
The bylaw review process should include a public participation component, which will enable property owners to air their views and suggestions on the matter.
Cindy Benson of the Marloth Park Ratepayers Association (MPRA) pleaded with property owners and visitors not to take the court ruling as permission to bring pets to Marloth Park, as pets are still not allowed.
Benson explained that people have managed to slip pets inside due to the lack of security at the gates.
After many years of struggling to get the gates and security upgraded by the Nkomazi Local Municipality, the MPRA hopes they will soon get the go-ahead for this project, following a fruitful meeting with the mayor and municipal manager.
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Benson hopes that the increased security at the gate will not only ensure no pets are brought into Marloth Park, but also decrease the crime rate and ensure tourists and residents are safer.
