More threats to poison pets in north

More threats to poison or harm animals in the north of Pretoria surfaced on social media recently.

This comes after Rekord did a previous article on threats received by Theresapark residents on a WhatsApp chat group.

An anonymous resident said she had taken the matter up with the SPCA as well as the police.

“We as pet owners in Theresaburg (complex) have to live in fear of what could happen to our animals,” said the resident.

“We as responsible pet owners keep our cats inside our yards by building catios and installing other measures of keeping them in.

“Yet there are still a few roaming cats in our area, and because of this people are threatening all cat owners by sending horrible text messages and sickening videos.”

The Theresapark resident said the most recent threat shared on a community WhatsApp group was a video showing a man kicking a cat.

“For an animal lover, this video is just horrid and actually made me sick to my stomach.”

Previous threats to kill cats, made by several individuals on the community WhatsApp group, was shared with Rekord.

Last week, Theresaburg residents alleged that the people making threats were going over to action.

“A suspicious bowl of milk was left out on an open property by a man who openly admitted to wanting our cats dead,” said one of the residents.

“This set off red flags in my head. A neighbour and I went to collect the milk and saw that there were black grains inside that looked to me like Two-Step poison.”

The resident said she had taken the bowl to the police station but was told that it was not sufficient evidence and more proof of actual poisoning of animals would be required for the matter to be investigated.

The SPCA was also approached about the matter.

Tshwane SPCA inspector Diale Ratsela confirmed that threats to cause harm to animals were being investigated.

The NSPCA had previously responded on the threats of cruelty against animals, and warned that anyone found guilty of harming an animal could face a fine, time in prison or both.

“Under no circumstance is cruelty to an animal acceptable,” said NSPCA spokesperson Keshvi Nair.

After complaints on social media about roaming and unsterilised cats becoming a “nuisance” in residential areas, Nair said: “It is unfortunately not a law that all animals must be sterilised. The NSPCA and all its member societies strongly advocate for all pets to be sterilised.

“It is, however, a law in terms of the municipal regulations for the keeping of pets that owners keep their animals within the confines of their property. It all comes down to responsible pet ownership.”

Nair said every pet owner had the responsibility of ensuring the safety, protection and well-being of the animals under their care.

“This means that owners are accountable for ensuring their cats stay on their property and do not trespass or roam onto someone else’s property and become a nuisance.

“Your cat may roam your property freely, not the property of other people who then have every right to surrender your cat as a stray animal to the SPCA.”

Nair said there were easy measures for pet owners to take to keep their animals inside their properties.

Some of these measures can also be used by people trying to prevent cats from entering their properties as well.

Nair gave the following tips:

– Maintain your fence. Ensure your property fence is well maintained to prevent the animals from escaping/entering. All holes must be covered and fixed and the bottom of the fence must be secured tightly to the ground.

– Remove all objects from along the fence that may be used as a step to scale the fence.

– Trim all the trees along your fence which may be used by the cats to scale the fence.

– Build a catio – this is an enclosure that is erected next to a window outside of your home. The window will give them direct access to the enclosure which will allow them some time outside. The catio can be extended with tunnels and pathways to other entrances of the house.

– By erecting an overhang facing inwards towards the garden the cats will not be able to climb the fence.

– Erect a cat fence roller. This is an inexpensive method that yields great results. It is done by using a cable and sliding PVC pipe over it and placing it on top of your fence. The spinning of the PVC pipe does not allow the cats to grip the wall to climb over.

“We reiterate that regardless of an animal being a stray or nuisance, there is still no excuse for inflicting cruelty and suffering to the animal,” said Nair.

“If there is an unwanted animal on your property, bring it to the SPCA, which is open 24/7 to accept stray or unwanted animals.

“Alternatively, call the SPCA to come and assist you or they will provide you with the details of someone who can assist with the removal of the animal. Do not resort to poisoning, trapping or attempting to kill the animal as this may result in you being charged with animal cruelty.”

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