Guidelines to pet owners The SPCA advises residents living in areas where fireworks will be discharged to adopt the following guidelines to help protect their pets: l Ensure all animals have identification; preferably a microchip or at least with a dog tag because without identification, the task of reuniting lost pets with their owners will be that much more difficult; l If possible, stay at home with them; l If you can’t be at home, keep your pets inside and preferably in a room that is safe and secure; l Try and mask any noise by drawing the curtains and playing calming music; l Put familiar and comforting things around them; l Give your pets a nutritious and balanced meal - this is likely to make them more sleepy; l Give them something to chew on, a chewy bone or catnip toys for cats; If you suspect your pet will react badly to fireworks, please seek professional advice from your veterinarian who may prescribe a sedative to help them cope. There are also effective homeopathic remedies available that may be bought across the counter at vet shops to help keep your pet calm.
Fireworks - know the law says SPCA Each year during Fireworks season, countless animals and humans are left injured and traumatised by these so-called “festive pleasures”. Whether over Guy Fawkes, Diwali, or on New Year's eve, members of the public are urged to be mindful of the dangers of discharging fireworks as well as what the law says about the use of firecrackers. “The SPCA is opposed to the use of any fireworks which emit a loud noise, due to the trauma and injuries they cause animals. Because animals are able to hear a wider range of sounds than humans can, the sound from fireworks is at least seven times louder to them and therefore their natural response would be to try and escape the sound with sometimes tragic consequences”, said CoGH SPCA Inspectorate Manager Moyo Ndukwana. The Animals Protection Act clearly
states that “it is illegal for any person to terrify any animal” yet despite the SPCA’s efforts to educate the public on the dangers and legalities of using fireworks and lobbying government for a total ban on the use of fireworks, injuries and trauma to animals occurs each year during fireworks season. The Firearms and Explosives Ordinance also makes it illegal for any child under the age of 16 to use or buy fireworks and it is illegal to use or sell fireworks without an official permit except at an officially designated site. In spite of this legislation,
fireworks are still sold in many corner cafés to anyone with money to buy and let off at home where they pose a potential danger. For a list of designated areas that have been assigned by the City of Cape Town for the safe discharge of fireworks, visit www.spca-ct.co.za. Harming an animal with fireworks will result in prosecution and concerned members of the public are to please report any acts of alleged cruelty to the CoGH SPCA on 021 700 4140/59 or after hours and on weekends to 083 326 1604. To report a fire, call 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cell phone (enter the number on your cell phone as a speed dial). Members of the public with information relating to the illegal sale or use of fireworks should please report the information to the Metro Police call centre on 0860-POLICE (765 423) or to the SAPS on 10111.
Left: CEO Allan Perrins embraces a lucky rescued Pit Bull cross named Bella at the SPCA’s facility in Grassy Park
dog fights. Huskies for instance are allegedly drenched in fresh blood and used as bait dogs. Is Illegal backyard breeding part of the problem? In a province with an admitted dog over-population problem, any form of backyard breeding adds to the animal welfare problem. Most backyard puppies survive on pure instinct and hone their killer instincts making them desirable fighting dogs that are quickly snapped up by fighting pimps.
loyal and if cared for correctly, can make excellent companions. They are one of two breeds that appear to have status value, the other being Huskies.
Is the recent spate of dog thefts linked to dog fighting? We suspect that some dogs are stolen and trafficked into neighbouring countries to be used in
Is this a national problem? Yes and it is even an international problem. The most recent successful raid was on a smallholding in the Plettenberg Bay area where a number of ‘Kingpins’ were caught in the act and brought to justice.
How can the public help? Be our eyes and ears. We cannot win this war without allies and we need all caring Pit Bull owners to help us win this fight by reporting any dog fighting suspicions and activities to the SPCA and/or local law enforcement office. Please help us in this battle. We continuously need funds to cover the costs (salaries, vehicles, equipment, etc.) associated with mobilising a large enough and welltrained team of inspectors who can monitor, intervene and educate people in all the communities that we serve throughout our 11 000 km2 operational area. If you can help, contact Inspectorate Manager Moyo Ndukwana via email insp4@spca-ct.co.za.
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