Some of the owners of dogs housed at the Roodepoort SPCA face criminals charges after severe maltreatment of the animals – by not feeding them, allowing them to wander around the streets and some forcing them to fight with other dogs.
Inspector Mike Allen said about 14 dog cases are waiting to go to court and some are being investigated.
“These are the dogs from across the Roodepoort area and the owners now face charges of negligence, dog fighting and dog cruelty.
Sharing sad stories of two dogs, Insp Allen said last year they received complaints from worried residents near Newlands that one family was not looking after their dogs.
“I visited the house and left them a note because they were not in, but they ignored it by not responding to my message,” said Insp Allen.
He said after three to four days he went to the house again but before reaching the house, he met the same dogs wandering around the streets.
“When I approached the owners, they said yes, they have seen my note. The family started telling me their own stories but it was already too late, we had to save the dogs,” he explained.
Insp Allen said the two dogs, both Shar Peis, had already developed skin diseases because they were not well taken care of and they lacked nutrition.
“They are suffering from mange disease,” he said.
He added that once they confiscate a dog, it belongs to the State and only the magistrate is allowed to make a ruling on whether the owners are still allowed to have the dogs back or not.
“Shortly after confiscating the dogs, we charged the owner and he is expected to appear in court soon,” added Insp Allen.
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