Pet Care Corner: Reporting animal cruelty to the SPCA
The Boksburg SPCA simply cannot be everywhere all the time, so the society does depend on the general public at large to be its ''eyes and ears'' and to report any cruelty to animals to them.
Manager of the Boksburg SPCA, Maggie Mudd, shares the following crucial information.
Reporting a situation can be done either by phoning the offices on 011 916 5906/7 (the person answering the phone will take down your contact number, as well as the address where the alleged animal cruelty is taking place), or by you coming into the society’s office and giving them the details of the complaint over the counter.
“Any additional information – such as photos or video – that will back up the complaint is always welcome, as these can help to prove the cruelty charge, and having someone who has actually witnessed the event/s is also very beneficial,” said Maggie.
It is important to know that all complainants’ details will be kept confidential and under no circumstances will they be revealed to the person being investigated – no matter how much they may demand this information
“This is very important, as some people may fear the repercussions of reporting animal cruelty to the SPCA – especially if the person being investigated is a neighbour or a family member,” added Maggie.
The investigating inspector will revert back to the complainant (you) within a seven-day period of receiving the complaint and give any feedback on what he or she has found.
Animals cannot ask for help and they can suffer tremendously when people, who may not wish to become involved for fear of comebacks, look the other way and ignore what is happening.
“Please remember that complainants can remain anonymous and we will still investigate the complaint – so please support us in helping the animals that may be in trouble and are out of our sight and hearing, and help us to stop cruelty to animals in your area today,” said Maggie.
