AFTER assurances by the uMhlathuze Municipality that public safety officers would be ‘scattered all over’ to ensure obedience to bylaws on New Year’s eve, Empangeni SPCA say they were left in the lurch during the ‘worst new year yet for pets’.
Inspector Roland Fivaz said the SPCA started patrol duties four hours earlier than planned after receiving complaints from the public about fireworks from 7pm.
The team managed to save seven of the more than 20 dogs seen running amok on Empangeni’s streets during their shift until 3am.
‘Some of the dogs came to us afraid, but the others were too startled by the bangs as well as reckless drunken driving on the roads – especially in the Kildare area.
‘There was not one municipal vehicle in sight to police the town.
‘We can only hope pets lost will come out of hiding as we are still receiving many missing animal reports,’ Fivaz said on Tuesday.
‘In all my years at the SPCA, this was the most irresponsible I have seen people behave.
‘If the municipality does not start stepping up in terms of applying bylaws, it is most definitely only going to get worse each year.’
It was apparently an equally tough night for paws and claws in Richards Bay.
Within three hours on Tuesday morning, SPCA Richards Bay received nine missing pet reports and 11 had been brought in to the shelter by the public.
One cow was fatally hit by a car in Birdswood in the early hours of New Year’s Day and one calf was found separated from its mother – both were believed to have run astray owing to the fireworks.
Fortunately the calf’s owner was located by Inspector Shelly Prinsloo.
‘We urge all community members to please report missing pets to the SPCAs and not just post it on Facebook,’ said Prinsloo.
City Communications Manager Mdu Ncalane explained that all municipal officers were required at the Alkantstrand celebrations where an estimated 160 000 revelers gathered.
‘The city officers were overstretched on New Year’s eve owing to the high number of Last Dance patrons who descended onto our city.
‘Some roads were closed and needed more personnel to monitor.
‘Even other enforcement agencies such as the SAPS were stretched to their limit.
‘This is regrettable.’
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