Johannesburg SPCA is appealing to the public to help it purchase five new dash cams that will enable inspectors to record any event when they enter a dangerous situation.
A section 18A tax certificate will be issued to anyone who donated.
Report abuse of animals
The JSPCA encourages any member of the public to report animal abuse when they witness it in order for inspectors to investigate the incidents.
Liana Marx, PRO for the JSPCA, said, “Every report is thoroughly investigated and appropriate action is taken. In clear cases of abuse and cruelty, the animals may be confiscated and the owners prosecuted.
“In cases of neglect, owners may be issued with a warning and an instruction to correct the problem immediately. If this is not done, they too can face criminal charges.
“Our inspectors have their hands full 24 hours a day rescuing stray, abandoned and unwanted animals. They are acutely aware of the lack of resources available in certain areas. We are always grateful to the public for reporting cruelty.”
It’s not always possible to take pictures when you witness abuse of animals, but the pictures are important when it comes to the prosecution of a suspect.
In the last few months, there have been instances where inspectors from the JSPCA has been threatened with bodily harm and there have even been incidents where members of the public assaulted inspectors with a brick.
The JSPCA needs the help of the public to be their eyes and ears in order for animal abuse to be made a thing of the past.
In case of animal abuse
The JSPCA also provided some tips when it comes to witnessing animal abuse of any form.
• Use your discretion on whether to intervene and stop the abuse taking place.
• Be aware of your own safety. Any person who would mistreat an animal can vent his/her anger towards you.
• Do not hesitate to phone the JSPCA, as their inspectors are trained to deal with these situations.
• If you have a camera handy, take a photo, if possible.
What you need to remember
Ensure you have the following information handy for the inspector, as this will allow for thorough investigation:
• Your name, address and contact number. This is necessary for record purposes and enables the inspector to inform you of the result of his/her investigation.
• All complaints are treated in strict confidence.
• The name, address and contact number, if possible, of the person involved.
• The date and time of the offence.
• The names and contact numbers of any witnesses.
• The number plate, if a vehicle was involved.
• A detailed description of what you saw.
• Be as calm as possible, as the inspector needs all the facts to enable a successful investigation.
Johannesburg SPCA may be contacted on 011 681 3600.
