Madam – I would like to share with you an incident that occurred recently regarding animal cruelty.
In November last year, I noticed a dog chained to a pole without any food or water at a factory in the Industrial Area. I immediately phoned the SPCA and reported the matter.
Read: Factory owner investigated for animal cruelty
I returned to the premises on the 9th of January 2017, and saw that the dog was still chained to the pole without any food or water. The chain was not more than a metre long and was so tight that it had cut into the dog’s neck.
I phoned the SPCA again and they stated that they had been to the premises several times and had issued the owner with several warnings. At this stage the SPCA was legally allowed to remove the dog from the owner’s “care” as their warnings were ignored. Unfortunately the dog was “too far gone” and had to be euthanised. While this is sad, it was comforting knowing that the dog was no longer suffering.
I write this letter urging people to report any form of animal cruelty they witness. A lot of people witness animal cruelty on a daily basis and think there is nothing they can do to help. To those people, please report the matter to the SPCA and if you can, and follow up on the case.
On every occasion I have contacted the SPCA, they have been more than willing to help and have always supplied me with feedback on the matter. They do have to follow certain procedures before they can confiscate an animal, but it can be done if you help them help the animal. They can be contacted on 034 318 2346.
We must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves!
Megan Dickie
Also read: Graphic content – Dog found with chain bolted to his flesh
