Monkey Helpline frustrated by local police
Monkey Helpline at loggerheads with local police over the shooting of a monkey.
LOCAL non-profit organisation, Monkey Helpline, said it was shocked at what it calls the local police’s lack of knowledge over the Firearms Control Act and their disinterest in opening a case after a monkey was shot dead in the Farningham Ridge area in Pinetown.
A monkey was shot and killed by a suspected pellet gun on Monday, 9 February. Steve Smit from Monkey Helpline said a Blenheim Road resident contacted him after finding the monkey on his property.
“The resident contacted me and said he saw the bleeding monkey jump from a neighbouring property. When we arrived the monkey’s heart was still fluttering, but the monkey was already dead. It was shot in the chest by a pellet gun,” Smit said.
“The resident said his neighbour admitted to shooting the monkey because it was eating his mangoes. When we arrived at the house we called the neighbour, who also admitted to us that he had shot the monkey,” Smit said.
He informed the man that he would open a case of animal cruelty, as well as for illegally firing a pellet gun, in accordance with the Firearms Control Act.
“When we arrived at the Pinetown Police Station we proceeded to the charge office to open a case. The officer who helped us asked where I lived and I told him it had nothing to do with the case I wanted to open. He then asked what of my property was damaged.
“A captain then arrived and stood behind the officer who was taking down the report. He asked us what the story was, and then told us we had to go to the SPCA to open a case. I argued that it’s a criminal offence and that I could open a case at the station.
“Eventually we left as we weren’t getting anywhere. I am going to lay a formal complaint against the captain,” he added.
Smit said it is extremely frustrating when they receive calls in which people are able to identify offenders, but are then turned away by police because they don’t know what to open a case for.
“We don’t have the time to run back and forth to police stations to open cases. It is hugely frustrating that people call us and want to open cases, but have no success with the SAPS,” he said.
Pinetown SAPS‘s communication officer, Lt Bongumusa Manqele, said: “Mr Smit came to the police station and was advised to inform the SPCA about the incident. When an animal has been shot the SPCA must be informed to attend the scene and take the carcass for examination by the animal doctor. After examination the SPCA can then go to the police station to open a case of cruelty to animals.”
But the provincial SAPS communication office said anyone can open a case of animal cruelty directly at a police station, or inform the SPCA. He said the SPCA does not have to be notified.
What to do to open a case of animal cruelty
THE SPCA said those who have witnessed acts of animal cruelty can go to any police station to open a case. Police should ask for a sworn affidavit and an organisation, such as the SPCA, will then collect evidence to support the case (in a case where an animal is killed, the SPCA will pick up the body and take it to a vet to receive a vet’s report).Contact the Kloof and Highway SPCA on 031 764 1212, or (after hours) 073 335 9322 for any emergencies or advice on what to do in the event that animal cruelty is witnessed.
