During the festive season, Springs saw an alarming rise in dog poisonings. During December, the SPCA issued an urgent warning, noting that most cases occurred in residential areas where dogs are outside as guard animals.

Springs SPCA manager Annecia le Roux revealed that following the public warning, reports of suspected poisonings have decreased slightly, which suggests that awareness campaigns have an impact.

“This reduction does not indicate that the problem has been resolved. The overall scale of poisoning incidents remains a serious concern, and the threat to animals is still very real. What it does show is that public vigilance and timely reporting can disrupt these acts, even if temporarily,” said Le Roux.

She explained that there is often a strong link between animal poisonings and criminal activity, particularly house burglary.

“During the festive season, criminals are more active, and they deliberately poison animals, especially dogs, to silence alarms or guard animals before a burglary.

“Increased movement, holiday travel, and unattended properties make animals more vulnerable. Sadly, the criminals are frequently using animals as tools to facilitate crime, with devastating consequences,” she said.

According to Le Roux, the most commonly encountered poisons are highly toxic substances that are frequently mixed with food and deliberately thrown into yards.

ALSO READ: SPCA warns pet owners amid surge in deliberate dog poisonings

The warning signs of poisoning may include sudden vomiting or diarrhoea, excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, tremors, seizures, loss of coordination, difficulty breathing, sudden collapse, or extreme weakness.

“Sadly, while the pattern of poisonings remains consistent, we have noted a shift in the types of substances being used. When certain poisons become harder to obtain or better known to the public, perpetrators appear to turn to alternative toxic substances,” she said.

She explained that this highlights that the intent to harm animals persists, even when methods change.
Incidents are more frequently reported during the early hours of the morning. This suggests deliberate targeting when households are quiet, animals are unsupervised, and the risk of being observed is lower.

Le Roux added that the SPCA will continue to intensify public education, issue regular warnings, and share prevention advice with communities.

“We are also strongly encouraging animal owners to report poisoning cases to the SAPS, in addition to notifying the SPCA. This is critical to ensure these crimes are recorded in official crime statistics, which in turn supports broader law-enforcement responses,” she said.

She emphasised that poisoning is not a random or victimless act but a deliberate form of cruelty and a criminal offence.

“Continued community awareness, reporting, and cooperation with authorities remain essential in addressing this issue,” Le Roux said.

ALSO READ: EMPD crackdown hits crime in Springs