SAPS member allegedly tapes his dog’s mouth shut
WELTEVREDEN PARK – The man who allegedly taped his dog's mouth shut has been warned.
A warning was issued to a dog owner in Weltevreden Park after a passerby saw the dog’s mouth taped shut with black insulation tape on 8 April.
It is alleged that the dog owner is a SAPS commissioner.
According to SPCA Roodepoort senior inspector Eric Taljaard, “I responded to a concerned resident’s call who informed us that a homeowner had taped their dog’s mouth shut.” When Taljaard arrived at the property, the tape had been removed and he could not lay any charges as a result.
“The tape had been removed so there was no evidence. I did, however, issue a warning to the owner of the dog,” Taljaard added.
Allegedly, the dog’s mouth was taped shut to stop him from barking early in the morning.
Animal lover Helga Tsoumbris called SPCA Roodepoort to report the incident.
“Thank goodness there are so many people who care and only one person who did this to his dog – I found it quite uacceptable,” said Tsoumbris.
The passerby, who spoke on condition of anonymity, saw the dog in the morning and thereafter notified the owner. The tape was apparently removed by someone at the house in question.
Taljaard said, “It is all about education. A dog uses his mouth for many things. He sweats, drinks water and eats through his mouth. The dog also cannot defend [itself] if [its] mouth is taped shut.”
He added that he will be spot checking the residence to ensure the animal is treated fairly.
“If not, criminal charges under the Animal Cruelty Act will be laid for negligence and cruelty,” said Taljaard.
The identity of the owner has not yet been confirmed, and an update and comment will follow as the particulars come to light.
Details: Roodepoort SPCA, 011 672 0448.
