Dogs live in appalling conditions, SPCA swoops on flat

Five dogs were rescued by SPCA inspectors after living in appalling conditions by the Germiston SPCA in Gauteng.

Manager and senior inspector Burt Coetzee and trainee inspector Thabang Mabasa went to investigate a complaint of animal cruelty at the Wally Hayward complex in Elandsfontein after the resident failed to adhere to the 24-hour warning they had issued, Germiston City News reported.

They found that the dogs were locked up in the third-floor complex unit in an unhygienic manner.

“It was evident that the owner had not cleaned up after the dogs for months and had simply left their faeces and urine lying around everywhere in the unit while the animals were forced to live in these conditions,” said Coetzee.

“According to other residents in the complex, the owner would sometimes be away for three or more days at a time, leaving the dogs alone in the flat.

Two of the dogs in the passage of the flat.

“Three dogs could be seen from the doorway, but we could hear that there were more animals locked in a separate room.”

“The smell that came out of the flat was nauseating, and it was clear that the owner had no intention of properly caring for these animals or adhering to our issued warning.”

The inspectors decided to approach the court for a warrant to remove the animals to prevent any further suffering.

Coetzee immediately contacted the Germiston Magistrates’ Court to arrange for the warrant as the court was about to close.

“The senior magistrate was willing to wait after hours for us in order to review our application for the warrant and granted it,” said Coetzee.

“We are thankful that we have caring magistrates in our area who would go the extra mile to assist, as otherwise these animals would have had to suffer the entire weekend before we could assist them.”

With the warrant in hand, Coetzee and Mabasa proceeded back to the unit.

They entered the flat and discovered that the dogs had no clean water or food available.

Burt Coetzee, manager and senior inspector helps one of the dogs.

The dogs were also underweight, and some of them were extremely scared.

The dogs were living among and constantly walking on their own faeces, as well as breathing in the strong ammonia-filled air caused by the urine and faeces scattered everywhere.

Two more dogs were found locked inside a separate bedroom.

“So far we have not received any feedback from the owner of the animals. All the animals were removed from the property to ensure their safety and well-being.”

“Charges of animal cruelty will be opened against the owner,” said Coetzee.

The Germiston SPCA is in dire need of public funding to continue the work that the inspectors do to combat and prosecute animal cruelty.

Donations can be paid into the SPCA’s bank account: FNB 5111-271-6150, branch code: 252-942.

Alternatively, email chairperson@spcagermiston.co.za and enquire about setting up a monthly debit order.

‘- Caxton News Service