DEAR Editor,-
A neglected dog is reported to, and found by an SPCA Inspector. The dog is chained and already at ‘death’s door’ due to starvation and a total lack of water, which has obviously not happened overnight!
Instead of being rescued immediately from this life-threatening situation, the inspector gives the owner 48 hours longer to inflict further suffering on this poor animal. For his actions, the inspector is given the title of ‘very special agent’. Am I missing something here?
ALAN KENT
Uvongo
Michael Muller responds:
DEAR Editor,-
Unfortunately there is always some ‘red tape’ involved with confiscating animals and even more so when the incident occurs outside of our normal area of operation. Mzamba falls just outside of KZN, into the Eastern Cape, and although we frequently assist animals in distress in the area, the jurisdiction falls under the Bizana magistrate’s court.
We hate ‘red tape’ as much as the next person, but for us to have a successful prosecution in terms of the animal protection act, we need to follow proper procedure. If this was in our usual area of operation we would have been able to remove the animal immediately under Section 468.
We can, however, say with pride that trainee inspector Sabelo Ngcobo would not just leave the animal. He fed the animal and ensured it had sufficient water before he left the scene last Monday and returned to the address the following day (Tuesday) to feed the animal again and ensure it had sufficient water intake. We were able to execute the seizure of the animal last Wednesday morning.
As for the ‘very special agent’ title – this refers to his commitment to rescuing animals in very peculiar and dangerous situations. From going into a large septic tank to rescue two dogs to a cat on a high voltage line within days of each other really takes a special person.
Come to think of it, just going into a half full septic tank will make most of us step back. I do hope that this sheds some light on the query, and if you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact us.
MICHAEL MULLER
Manager SPCA Lower South Coast
