UPDATE: 27 June 2016, 3pm – In an interesting turn of events, the website, Cajunrules.co.za has been opened and the NSPCA has taken responsibility for the advertisement.
The campaign held by the NSPCA was create awareness on the horrible truth about dog fighting in Joburg.
The banner on the website reads: “Just because the dogfights aren’t advertised, doesn’t mean they don’t happen. They take place all the time every month, every weekend, every day, everywhere.
This cruel and despicable industry thrives on secrecy and fear prevents individuals from reporting dog fighting.
We created this fake dog fight to raise awareness of this scourge and get people talking and acting so we can start the real fight against dog fighting.
To find out more about dog fighting in South Africa, and how you can help, go to www.nspca.co.za.”
The National Council of SPCA’s posted the advert on their facebook page and stated: “The NSPCA apologises for alarming the public though thanks them for their passionate follow-ups in this regard. The travelling A- frame trailer adverts that stood at prominent traffic hot spots around Johannesburg boldly advertised “Fight Night”, a pit bull tournament where you could call for bookings or visit a web site for more information.
“Dog fighting is a subject that people should be outraged about” said Wendy Willson, Senior Inspector and Manager of the Special Investigations Unit at the NSPCA. “In addition to the horrific suffering of the animals involved, the crime has a devastating effect on the people, children and societies where it is happening and the communities who tolerate its existence”.
Michelle Salgate, spokesperson from the NSPCA said, “We confirm that the SPCA set up this advert to create awareness on dog fighting. More people need to talk about it and hear about it. This fighting happens all over and is a huge problem. Report dog fighting to Wendy Wilson 0119073590/91/92”
Click here to read the full statement released by the NSPCA.
INITIAL REPORT: 27 June 2016, 12pm – Social media has been abuzz this morning following an illegal advertisement that was spotted in Bryanston on William Nicol Drive.
Social media users are speculating that the advert appears to be a promotion for a pit bull tournament thought to be linked to a dog fighting ring.
The advert reads, : “Fight night, pit bull tournament, main: Nitro VS Thor”.
When a Sandton Chronicle journalist called the number on the advert for bookings, the call went through to a voicemail box.
The voicemail welcomed the caller to the cajun rules booking line and stated that they are experiencing high call volumes. You are then directed to the voice mail to leave a message. Attempts to access the website of Cajun Rules proved unsuccessful as well.
JMPD spokesperson, Edna Mamonyane said: “The advert is believed to be driven around by a bakkie and is not stationary. My officers have been alerted and are on the lookout. The advert was spotted in Bryanston. The SPCA need to get involved to remove the dogs from this fight as they can be severely injured and it is cruel. My officers will contact the SPCA as soon as they have info.”
Mamonyane further appealed to members of the public, that if the vehicle or advert is spotted to contact the Bylaws department by calling or sending a whatsapp message to 082 7791 361.
Senior Inspector for the special investigation unit at the NSPCA Nadia Hansa said, “We have received a lot of angry calls from a lot of angry people regarding the issue. We are currently investigating.”
With reference to the website Cajunrules.co.za, Hansa said that “Cajun Rules” dog fighting is a particular cruel form of competition which usually leads to the death of at least one of the dogs.
She added, “It’s not based on a specific winner but the dog whose more willing to fight to the death.”
Hansa said that dog fighting has been on the rise in South Africa as of late with the NSPCA currently involved in nine different cases at the moment.
Click here to read: UPDATE: SPCA requires assistance in locating wired dogs suspects
The NSPCA has been trying to track the vehicle that is advertising the alleged dog fight, however, it is proving difficult as the vehicle is constantly on the move.
Rumours doing the rounds on social media state that the advert is for a MMA tournament, however, Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) has dispelled these rumours.
EFC told Sandton Chronicle, “This advert is not ours. We have no affiliation to this advert what so ever.”
Tyrone Walker, an attorney, said: “Any member of the public can lodge a complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority where they believe an advertisement is in contravention of the ASA code. The ASA code is a set of rules which advertisements should abide to. In this case, a member of the public may be able to lodge a complaint based on the advertisement being “offensive” or the fact that it may be showing something, which may encourage or support criminal or illegal activity. The complaint can be lodged on the ASA website.”
What are your thoughts on this advert? Have you spotted the vehicle? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook timeline by clicking here or tweet us @Sandton_News
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