Fake calls about dogs burned alive afflicts Newcastle SPCA

While there were no significantly horrible cases of cruelty, Naidoo had to deal mostly with injured dogs, strays and a few dog attacks.

January 21, 2019

Bruce Douglas 1 minute read

There seems to be no end to the extent of animal cruelty.

This is the impression the SPCA Newcastle’s 19-year-old inspector Suveshin Naidoo was given over an extremely busy Christmas and New Year’s holiday period.

He said the emergency phone rang almost every hour with a new case.

“The animals being boarded calmed down, but cruelty never seems to.”

While there were no significantly horrible cases of cruelty, Naidoo had to deal mostly with injured dogs, strays and a few dog attacks.

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This included a call about a dog being burned alive in Madadeni.

Naidoo contacted Madadeni SAPS and was escorted to the alleged crime scene, only to find a heap of burning rubble at the given address.

This pointed to a neighbourly dispute at the heart of this matter.

“We get lots of fake calls and calls about strays, even though it’s the Municipal Pound’s duty,” explained an exasperated Naidoo. “It’s a waste of time and resources.”

Worst of all, he said that while charges could be laid against the resident who made the fake call, animal abuse cases seemed to rank low on SAPS’s priority list.

Nevertheless he commended Madadeni SAPS on its assistance.

“They escorted me all the way back into Newcastle when I was done.”

It has been a trying three months for Naidoo, who only officially took up his post at the SPCA Newcastle in November.

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Prior to that, he worked on a voluntarily basis for the society.

Within the next few months however, Naidoo is anticipated to complete his qualifications and then be eligible for the inspector’s examination.