The Southern African Foundation For The Conservation Of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) is calling on stricter measures for dog walking in Simon’s Town after 19 endangered penguins were killed due to irresponsible dog ownership.
On Friday 28 October, two huskies reportedly escaped from their property in Simon’s Town and caused havoc after attacking and killing 19 penguins, including two chicks at Seaforth beach.
According to SANCCOB, it was not the first dog attack on penguins in the area.
“We strongly condemn irresponsible pet owners who need to be held accountable for the cause of this tragic incident. This is not the first incident of this nature; there have been several dog attacks on penguins in Simon’s Town which are completely unnecessary and avoidable.
“The incident has shocked and saddened all those who work tirelessly to conserve this endangered seabird that is currently declining at an alarming rate with populations the lowest on record.”
READ | 19 endangered penguins killed in Simon’s Town as off-leash dogs wreak devastation on colony
In a statement, SANCCOB further said that the penguins sustained extensive wounds to the neck, abdomen and groin areas.
“The City of Cape Town’s Coastal Management Branch and SANCCOB’s Penguin & Seabird Rangers transported the penguin carcasses to SANCCOB as part of an incident investigation.
“SANCCOB’s clinical veterinarian describes severe bite marks and puncture wounds to the lower parts of the penguins’ bodies, whilst several penguins suffered extensive wounds to the neck, abdomen, and groin areas.
“Among the carcasses discovered, two African penguin chicks were also killed, which confirms that predation took place on land as these chicks would have not yet been seaworthy.”
SANCCOB is now calling on the City of Cape Town and the South African National Parks (SANParks) to urgently review dog walking areas in Simon’s Town.
“Measures need to be implemented to prevent further dog attacks; we plead with the City of Cape Town and SANParks to urgently review areas in Simon’s Town and surrounds where dogs are currently walked and increase enforcement of non-compliance offenders.”
Last week, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA confiscated the dogs from their owners after an eyewitness report of the incident.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said they are now awaiting the outcome of the case that has been handed over to authorities.
“The SPCA is in possession of an affidavit from an eyewitness who witnessed the incident.
“It was reported that two husky-type dogs were seen at Seaforth beach attacking various penguins.”
Seaforth beach is a prominent nesting site for around 150 endangered African penguins and is on the border of Boulders beach – the world-famous African penguin breeding colony.
“The dogs were impounded in terms of the Animal Keeping By-law by the City of Cape Town, assisted by Cape of Good Hope SPCA Inspectors.
“The SPCA will ensure that justice is served for these penguins, who suffered a traumatic death because of irresponsible dog owners.
“We don’t believe that the dogs are to blame, but will hold their irresponsible owners accountable,” said Pieterse.
“Law Enforcement has opened a docket against the owners at Simon’s Town Police Station.
“The matter is now in the hands of law enforcement. We await the outcome of the case.”
