Transnet’s widespread cat poisoining condemned appeal for witnesses
NPO, Cats of Durban raised alarm when they found out that Transnet Engineering SA has adopted a policy of cat extermination on its properties across the country.
The NSPCA issued a warning in terms of the Animals Protection Act to compliance officer for Transnet, Mirriam Tenyane, on Friday 10 March 2017 in which the need to stop poisoning cats with immediate effect was emphasised, failing which, criminal charges in terms of the Animals Protection Act may be laid.
Tenyane, has allegedly commissioned a poisoning protocol to operate nationally at Transnet sites where there are feral cats.
Poisoning animals is a contravention of the Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962. Correspondence was submitted to the Executive Director of Transnet, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the matter.
To date, the NSPCA has received no response or feedback despite additional telephone calls having been made and emails sent.
Transnet’s proposed method of eradicating cats in and around various premises owned by the company has met with shock, anger and absolute condemnation by the National Council of SPCAs.
The NSPCA asks what kind of people would advocate cruelty to living creatures on this scale?
The brutal, pitiless and ruthless treatment of cats who will suffer or have already suffered terribly, prior to death is inconceivable.
Yet, the “knock-on” effect extends to the secondary poisoning and the suffering of other creatures: – including owls and other scavengers.
While it is acknowledged that problems may arise with regard to homeless or “feral” populations of animals, humane methods of control, handling and resolution must be employed.
The NSPCA assures all concerned individuals that it will pursue this matter relentlessly and steadfastly.
Manage feral cats
It was Cats of Durban who raised alarm when it found out that Transnet Engineering SA has adopted a policy of cat extermination on its properties across the country.
“This follows a directive issued on 14 February by Transnet Compliance Office Mirriam Tenyane, stating that stray animals are prohibited on Transnet properties.”
This nation-wide prohibition includes the Transnet properties where Cats of Durban has successfully been managing the feral cat populations,” said Niki Moore of Cats of Durban.
“Unfortunately, the directive does not take into account that the world-wide trend of problem animal management is towards sustainable management, rather than extermination.”
“Removing cats from properties on the scale of national Transnet premises is an inhumane, cruel, and counter-productive procedure.
The feral cat colonies on the Transnet property in Durban, as an example, have been in place for decades.
“Cats of Durban spent months of time and donor money to sterilize the cats on the Transnet Engineering property in Edwin Swales Drive. The colony was in the process of being managed
to prevent the identified problems. This directive means that hundreds of hours of volunteer time, and thousands of rands in donor funding, has been wasted,”said Moore.
“Attempts during the last few weeks to get Ms Tenyane to reconsider, or amend, this ill-advised directive, have been unsuccessful.”
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