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Boksburg SPCA has lauded a recent conviction of animal cruelty as a victory for the NPO and again makes an urgent appeal to the public to report dog fighting and all other forms of animal abuse.

Mary Morns (59) of Reiger Park in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, was recently convicted of cruelty to animals under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and sentenced to six months imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The case relates to dog fighting dating back to 2021.

In his affidavit, Boksburg SPCA inspector Neo David Mmoya said he received a complaint from a member of the public about suspected dog fighting conducted by children living in Brittlewood Street in Reiger Park on November 29, 2021.

The complainant had seen young boys with a white bull terrier that was limping and had scars and other injuries.

The boys were trying to challenge another boy walking his dog by trying to make the dogs fight.

The inspector went to Brittlewood Street the next day at 14:30 and, at a particular house, saw a white bull terrier with scars. Young boys saw the inspector and ran into the house with the dog.

The inspector asked the children to call an adult and explained to the woman who came out that he was there to do an inspection.

During the inspection, he found a badly injured male chow. The woman explained that the bull terrier had bitten the animal the week before.

The bull terrier was confirmed to have old and new scars, and the children told the inspector they were from fights with the chow.

The chow had maggots coming out of its ear canal and an open wound on its face. It was surrendered to the SPCA.

A warning was issued to the dogs’ owners to take the bull terrier to a vet for treatment within four hours and to send proof of this to the SPCA by 09:00 the next day.

They failed to do so, leading the SPCA to get a warrant to seize the animal. The inspector did so with the help of the Reiger Park SAPS, despite the children trying to lock the gate to prevent him from leaving the property with the dog.

The dog was taken to a vet and found to have a bone tumour, explaining why it limped so severely.

However, the inspector assessed that the dog was also probably used to fight other dogs in the area because of the many scars on its body and the limping.

“It is evident the dogs suffered unnecessarily because they were subjected to fighting and left with untreated wounds,” Mmoya said in his affidavit.

Detective Manie du Preez of the Reiger Park SAPS investigated the case.

According to Vicky Finnemore, the Boksburg SPCA manager, the dogs were in such dire condition that they euthanised them.

“Dog fighting is a significant problem in several areas in Boksburg, with children under 18 involved.

“The Boksburg SPCA is actively educating these communities about dog fighting, but many seem to disregard the consequences.

“Fighting dogs are often used to show ‘status’, with the winning dog’s owner gaining respect among peers and accepting more challenges. Money is exchanged at these fights, making it a form of gambling.

“Parents are urged to monitor their children’s after-school activities to prevent their involvement in dog fighting.

“Participating in dog fighting can lead to involvement in other criminal activities, and keeping fighting dogs increases the risk of attacks on other animals and people,” said Finnemore.

You can report dog fighting, suspected dog fighting, or other forms of animal cruelty to the Boksburg SPCA on 011 916 5906. You can provide information anonymously.

Finnemore acknowledged it is difficult to prove intentional cruelty to an animal in court because the victim/s can’t speak for themselves.

“The public must, however, know that animal abuse is illegal and punishable by law,” she said.

Finnemore said getting their cruelty cases to court is problematic because the investigating officers often lose or misplace the docket.

“We recently had two dockets go missing at Vosloorus SAPS. We were told a pipe burst and many dockets were damaged.”

Signs of dog fighting:

• Pit bulls kept on heavy chains or confined in small areas.
• Properties with multiple unsterilised, unsocialised pit bulls.
• Pit bulls with evidence of multiple scars or injuries on their bodies, especially their faces, front and hind legs, chests, thighs, and ears.
• Purpose-built fighting pits or makeshift fighting areas with bloodstained floors and walls.
• Frequent changes in dogs at a specific property – as dogs die new ones are acquired or stolen.
• People walking groups of pit bulls at unusual hours of the day, particularly late at night.