SPCA appeals to you to report these cases

Are you aware of dog fighting taking place in your neighbourhood?

Report dog fighting cases to the Benoni SPCA.

Benoni SPCA inspector Shiven Bodasing said the organisation receives a number of tip-offs about dog fighting in Benoni, but they believe there is more than what is brought to their attention.

“Members of the public need to remember that animal fighting in any form is a serious criminal offense and serves jail time,” Bodasing said.

“Even being a spectator or having videos and images of dog fighting is an offense.”

According to Bodasing, the tip-offs received often lead to inaccurate addresses or dead ends.

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“As we all know, tail docking and ear cropping is illegal in South Africa and is classified as animal mutilation,” he said.

“Many of the dogs used in fighting have cropped ears and associated scarring on the face, neck and front legs.”

Bodasing gave the public advice about how to go about handling the situation should they suspect dog fighting.

• Report any suspicion of the particulars of the premises or person to the district SPCA or law enforcement officers for further investigation.

• Photographic or any other such evidence should accompany the report (this may also include an affidavit from the complainant).

Members of the public must rest assured that all tip-offs remain anonymous and the SPCA will under no circumstances give out the complainant’s details.

The Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962 clearly indicates that any person who is aware of any offense occurring in terms of an animal is obliged to report it and that anyone who fails to report such offenses could be liable for prosecution under the same act.

“Animal fighting is a horrendous crime to sentient beings,” Bodasing said.

“No animal should endure the agony of this blood sport for the entertainment of [their] owner.”

According to Bodasing, the Benoni SPCA works closely with the six SAPS stations within Benoni.

“Members of the public are urged to help fight this injustice one criminal at a time because at the end of the day it’s the animals that we owe this to,” he said.