Midrand SPCA encourages engagement
GLEN AUSTIN – The Midrand SPCA shares their struggles dealing with complaints that fall under by-law enforcement.
The Midrand SPCA is calling on the local community to engage with municipal by-law enforcement entities for certain animal complaints.
General manager of the SPCA Pam Pretorius said, “It is not just animal cruelty on the rise in Midrand… The mandate for the Midrand SPCA is well known, that of being the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals. This means that our core function includes that we investigate cruelty, prosecute perpetrators and proactively inspect facilities where animals are handled to ensure that animals are treated in a humane manner.
“Over the past few months, the Midrand SPCA has seen a drastic increase in cases of a different nature, one of these being an increase in by-law-related complaints.”
She added that these situations include animals roaming the streets or attacking people or other animals. “These complaints are regarded as municipal by-law complaints that are for the municipality to resolve, but our inspectors are becoming more and more involved as the situation has seemed to escalate.”
Pretorius said that in dealing with these issues, there has been an increase in people who disagree with action being taken. “We simply cannot describe in words the verbal, mental, emotional and at times, physical abuse that our staff endure from some members of the public when we are simply fighting for the rights of the voiceless. We have been victimised, verbally threatened and, at times, even pointed at with various weapons, including knives and guns. Not a day seems to go by these days without some confrontational situation.”
The Midrand SPCA would like residents to also include Metro police and municipal by-law enforcement agencies to assist. “Our work as it were was tough enough, but these days our concern is not just for the animals that we pledge to serve and protect, but sadly we need to worry about our staff and wonder which kind of confrontation they will face next. It is truly sad that our staff are treated in this manner by people who are in the wrong. We are not sure as to why this kind of behaviour is on the increase, but it is very disturbing and disheartening.
“But no matter the circumstances and no matter the abuse and threats we face, our staff continue and will continue to stand up for the rights of our sentient beings.”
Details: Midrand SPCA 011 265 9935.
