Abandon animals and face a fine, prison – NSPCA
“If found guilty of abandoning or neglecting an animal, one can face a fine, imprisonment or both. They will also have a criminal record.” – NSPCA
Abandoning an animal could lead to you getting a criminal record.
This was according to NSPCA spokesperson Keshvi Nair who said animal abandonment was recognised as a criminal act.
Nair was responding to requests for comment after three kittens and the mother cat were left in a box in a Theresa Park residential complex when their owners apparently suddenly moved away.
“If found guilty of abandoning or neglecting an animal, the owner can face a fine, imprisonment or both. They will also have a criminal record,” she told Rekord.
“It is a contravention of the animals protection act no. 71 of 1962 to abandon an animal.”
Nair said repeat offenders may face harsher penalties.
“SPCAs keep records of their complaints, investigations and findings. These records usually state what action was taken, for example, if a warning was issued or not.
“If it is found that there is non-compliance further action will be taken, i.e. removal of the animals under a warrant, prosecution, etc.
“The SPCA can also request the court to deny the perpetrator ownership of animals in the future.”
The abandoned cats were found by concerned resident Nelie de Bruyn, who is now taking care of them.
“I am very worried that these people (owners) may have dumped their other animals elsewhere,” said De Bruyn.
De Bruyn said the three kittens (only a few days old) and their mother were left in a box inside the residential complex after the owners “disappeared with the last of their furniture”.
“They had other animals that they took with them,” she said.
De Bruyn, who is a cat owner and great animal lover, said she was highly upset after the incident.
“There are so many cruel people in our area. People who purposefully hurt cats,” she said.
“There are just too many people who neglect their animals and don’t bother to get them sterilised.”
De Bruyn reported the matter to the SPCA.
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“This is not the first time these people had been reported for neglecting their animals.
“It is not an option for me to take them to an overfull animal shelter or the SPCA where they will likely be put down if they cannot find homes,” she said.
She hopes to find good homes for the cats, once the kittens are old enough.
De Bruyn said she wants to educate more people about cats and how important it is for people to get their pets sterilised.
“Unsterilised cats that are not being looked after can become very bothersome and cause trouble at other people’s homes,” she explained.
“Many people don’t like or even hate cats due to pet owners’ ignorance or carelessness.”
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