Edenvale SPCA investigates animal abuse

In a span of six days, the Edenvale SPCA received several complaints and phone calls regarding animal abuse and neglect in the area it services.

The complaints and calls were made to the SPCA at the start of November and range from concerned community members to the mutilation of a dog.

Inspector Jade Nel of the SPCA said in one case the SPCA rescued a pit bull from a nearby township that had its ears cropped.

Nel believed the dog’s ears had been cut, most likely with scissors, a day or two before it was rescued.

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“The dog had an infection and was taken to the Terrace Road Veterinary Hospital to be treated. Its lymph nodes were swollen, so it looked like the dog had an abscess in its throat,” said Nel.

She said the rescued dog is recovering well and doing better.

“At the moment, we are investigating the matter and gathering information,” said Nel.

Nel explained that in most instances where dogs’ ears are cropped and tails are docked the animal is involved in dogfighting.

“People get involved in dogfighting by stealing dogs from suburban areas and get paid anywhere between R20 and R50 for the dogs.

“From there people wanting to fight dogs will start off small and try to build their and their dogs’ reputation with a bit of small betting on the side.

“The next levels are your more serious fighters and champion dogs whereby it is by invitation only with large bets.

“If fighters do well they are usually invited to compete in events hosted by a kingpin, which is a live stream event,” said Nel.

She said the live stream events are often held in affluent areas in the early hours of the morning with only the referee, cameras, dogs and handlers present.

In another one of the more serious incidents, Nel said the SPCA was called to Thembisa by a woman who said a dog’s tail was being docked illegally.

“The woman said the dog was dropped off by a relative and had an elastic band on its tail.

“Because of how long the elastic was on the tail it had to be amputated by a vet,” said Nel.

She said the SPCA is gathering information on the matter.

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