The Benoni SPCA opened a case of animal cruelty at the Actonville Police Station on September 6 after a pit bull terrier-cross sustained serious neck injuries from being chained for what is suspected to be months.
Concerned residents contacted the society after they released the two-year-old dog from the chain.
The SPCA’s inspector Tebogo Maswanganye collected the animal as a stray. He immediately transported the animal to a vet for medical attention.
A warning was left at the owners’ gate the following day. The owner contacted the organisation on September 8 and the police will investigate before a court date is set.
Maswanganye highlighted the chaining of dogs is common as owners are not well informed of the negative impact it has on the animal.
“The chaining of dogs is not against the law. It is only against the law when it is done unnecessarily.
“An example of an unnecessary chaining would be if an animal is in a well-secured yard and cannot get out but is still placed on a chain.”
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He explained that chaining is only permitted when the yard is not secure and the animal would pose a threat to humans and other animals.
“When a dog is placed on a chain, a collar should be placed around the neck to prevent injury as a chain would heat up during the warmer seasons and burn the animal’s neck. A collar also prevents the chain from being embedded into the animal’s neck as they grow.”
Maswanganye advised that an animal should be placed on a running chain, where the wire from the ground should be no shorter than 5m and the chain to the collar cannot be shorter than 2m.
He warned that an animal that is put on a chain it is restricted from playing and is more susceptible to imminent danger as they cannot escape.”
The staff members at the organisation named the rescued pit bull-cross Ceaser.
“He is recovering from his injuries and will be put up for adoption when well enough.”
Ceaser will need lots of love and attention during his recovery. The organisation is encouraging residents to assist with donations for the SPCA to continue assisting animals like Ceaser and others that have been neglected and abused.
Here is how you can help:
• Make the Benoni SPCA your MySchoolMyVillageMyPlanet beneficiary- every swipe goes towards their outreach programme.
• Make a regular donation of R50 to the society to help them care for all the animals they receive.
• Consider sponsoring a kennel for R300 per month.
All donations qualify for an S18A Tax Certificate. For more info email: admin@spcabenoni.co.za
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