Cat ‘bait’ tests positive for poison
The remains of the cat's stomach will be removed and sent for testing.
THE remains of Cheeky Chokes, one of Trudie Roets’s beloved feral cats, has been found near the Sonny Evans Small Craft Harbour in Shelly Beach.
Mrs Roets, who feeds numerous colonies between Uvongo beach and the harbour, believes three of her other feral cats were deliberately poisoned. Their bodies have not been found.
Michael Muller, the Lower South Coast SPCA manager, said the pieces of sausage found at the harbour two weeks ago have tested positive for poison.
Dr Dave Watson will be removing the remains of the stomach of the cat to send in for testing.
Mr Muller said that, according to the animal protection act, one is allowed to use poison to destroy vermin, such as rats and mice, if this is done responsibly and if reasonable precautions to prevent the poison from affecting any other animal or human are taken.
However, he explained, the reality is that it is almost impossible for a layman to use poison in a controlled and zero risk environment.
“The mandate of the SPCA is to prevent cruelty to all animals and none of us wants to see even a rat experience the painful death of poisoning,” he said.
Mr Muller said that death by poisoning was arguably one of the cruelest ways to kill an animal. He strongly advised that more humane methods of trapping (passive trapping) and destruction be used.
“We are also vehemently opposed to glue traps and any mechanical traps,” he said.
Guys I can see on picture that happens to (Tamik) more commonly known as (2 Step). Its used under very strict control to poison Jackals’ and so on. this is given to our dogs in Gauteng half an hour before they break into the houses, the smallest amount on knife point can kill as many as 3 big dogs. it literally takes 2 steps after eating it and die.!