SPCA responds to animal cruelty allegations
Following an impassioned outbreak of furious claims that the Benoni SPCA commits "brutal" murders, among other accusations, the City Times asked the Benoni SPCA how their euthanasia policy works.
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Maggie Mudd, NSPCA society liaison unit inspector, said the objective of the SPCA is the prevention of cruelty to animals and this is their primary and most important mandate.
“SPCAs are pro-life organisations, which means that although we, as a movement, are opposed to the humane euthanasia of healthy animals, we also accept that it is a necessity, due to overpopulation and uncontrolled breeding of domestic animals,” she explained.
“That is why the Benoni SPCA, and the SPCA movement as a whole, ensures that all animals leaving their premises are sterilised before adoption, as this is ultimately the only solution to prevent cruelty and end the necessity for euthanasia,
“We point out that the Benoni SPCA, along with eight other SPCA branches, have a responsibility to provide pound services for the Ekurhuleni area.”
According to Mudd, all abandoned, stray and unwanted animals, as well as victims of cruelty, are admitted to the SPCA, who may not refuse admittance to any species of animal.
She said this includes animals that are euthanased at the owner’s request and at the request of other animal welfare organisations and rescue group.
“SPCA inspectors are trained to euthanase any animal as part of their duties as an inspector when they must, sadly, but regularly euthanase sick, injured and abused animals to prevent further suffering,” Mudd said.
“The welfare of many animals admitted to SPCAs is already compromised, and although every effort is made to find safe and loving homes for all healthy animals — the SPCA will not compromise its standards by keeping animals incarcerated indefinitely whilst there is a continual influx of unwanted animals, or not adhere to strict adoption policies which ensure the lifelong well-being of any animal that is adopted,
“SPCAs do regularly work with other animal welfare organisations, but, obviously, other NPOs have differing objectives and cannot dictate the activities of the SPCA,” said Mudd.
She added that there is ample animal welfare-related work for all organisations dedicated to the prevention of cruelty and improved welfare of animals.
The City Times asked to view the Benoni SPCA’s euthanasia register, but was not permitted to do so.
“SPCAs do not release euthanasia statistics, as they are required to euthanase any animal in order to prevent suffering, which could include hundreds of farm animals involved in a traffic accident, chickens at an intensive farming facility or ensuring humane rodent control measures,” said Mudd.
“This is regularly reported in the media; we do not differentiate between species.”
“All sentient beings are capable of suffering and to release statistics would play into the hands of those who, for whatever reason, malign the work of the SPCA.”
She said she thought one has to question why persons or other organisations that are purportedly devoted to animal welfare would attempt to hamper the objectives of the SPCA.
“Animal welfare needs all the support it can get, whatever role an individual chooses to play,” she said, adding that there is more than enough work for all.
“We can confirm that 11 406 animals of all species were admitted, handled or inspected by the Benoni SPCA last year, and we do ask the community to consider who would have safeguarded these animals from cruelty, who would have confronted the perpetrators of cruelty without the SPCA?” asked Mudd.
She thanked the members and supporters of the Benoni SPCA who have come forward to establish the facts and offer assistance to the association.
“We have called on all concerned to put personal differences and agendas aside and work together in the interests of the Benoni SPCA and the animals we serve to protect from cruelty.” she concluded.
If what Maggie Mudd has to say is true then why was the AGM meeting venue changed at the last minute and why were the public refused entry to the meeting after being encouraged to attend in the city times as well as face book!?
Is it not standard practise to ‘captive-bolt’ live stock and not actually euthanase them? Furthermore – if Benoni S.P.C.A. have nothing to hide – then why not permit the public to truly see how many animals are put down?
Out of the 11 406 animals that passed through your gates, how many were homed, how many were owner request euthanasias, how many were strays et?
Maggie Mudd states that she “wants the public to put their agendas aside and work together in the interests of the Benoni SPCA and the animals they serve to protect from cruelty.” then why does she continue to ignore the members who have requested a special general meeting be held to address their concerns?
Why has she only focused on justifying why animals are euthanased, but makes no mention of the allegations of fraud and mismanagement?
I do not believe the SPCA I have seen what goes in there as well as Ex-workers have told me the real truth and also why they do not work there anymore because of the cruelty. It’s all about money I heard.
If you are looking for a great organization that is not commercial / “Government” like NSPCA… Go to the Animal Anti Cruelty League they are the only one me and my friends trust. If you do not have a job and need help, they even treat your animals for as little as R80 and do it properly.
Can the Benoni SPCA provide proof of an animal that we believe has been euthanised after it was going to be adopted by a friend of mine. If they can proof this animal went back to its owners then maybe we can have faith in them again. They can contact me on 0836272052 and I will discuss the details. If they don’t then we know the truth. They are brutal murderers. They have a storeroom full of food because they are killing the animals ruthlessly. Two bullterriers were surrendered by the owner this weekend and when informed that is a death penalty they wanted to get them back and the spca just refused. Something is wrong and deeper investigations must be done. Benoni City Times I suggest you demand to see some of the records of the animals killed. Go and spend some time there. I do not trust the spca. I have heard from people that the national inspector goes around from SPCA to SPCA and asks which animals she can euthanase. There are so many people that are gagged by a confidentiality contract they signed at the SPCA so they cannot talk about what happens there. These people know a lot but can’t afford to go to court. Why do the SPCA get people to sign these contracts? Do they have something to hide?