While over six months have passed since the City of Cape Town has publicised the amended Animal Keeping By-Law, it seems there is still some uncertainty as to what is expected of pet owners, for example, when it comes to having their pet sterilised or not.
A quick glance at the new bylaw might leave pet owners thinking that all dogs and cats over the age of six months must be sterilised. But as is often the case with the law, a closer look is needed to understand the subtleties.
At a Boerie Braai event hosted by the Belvedere East Civic Association (Beca) at Batavia School last month, Inspector Mogamat Mullins, who is attached to law enforcement’s Animal Control Unit, urged pet owners to go to the City of Cape Town’s website, read through the bylaw and familiarise themselves with whatever part of the bylaw they can relate to.
“With the new bylaw in place, the City is trying to minimise the stray animals that are roaming around in the roads. And they are also trying to minimise or get to those people who are mistreating animals,” said Mullins.
According to the bylaw, unregulated breeding has caused a large increase in the stray animal population in the city.
“These animals are often in a poor condition as a result of neglect and the cost of dealing with these animals is high. This overpopulation also poses environmental health risks, and sometimes can be a safety risk,” the bylaw reads.
It also references inbreeding and poor breeding practices which can “add to cruelty aspects”.
While sterilisation is recommended to effectively manage the population of cats and dogs in the city, Mullins said the unit is focused on stamping out inbreeding and overbreeding practices.
“While the bylaw provides that sterilisation can be enforced, we do it on a basis of the protection of the animal,” said Mullins.
He explained that in cases of overbreeding, people often do so with the intention of wanting to sell the litters. He said not only does overbreeding compromise the animals, it can also lead to changes in their temperament.
“There is a lot of things that go along with this type of breeding, inbreeding. For example, where they will mate the father with the daughter. That changes the whole behaviour of the animal. So when it comes to this, we will recommend sterilisation. If the person doesn’t want to allow us to do that, then we will go to court or ask the SPCA to assist us in dealing with that person in the right manner,” said Mullins.
Another instance where the unit might enforce sterilisation is in the case of dog attacks. He said they found that most dog attacks happen outside pet owners’ properties.
“When the attack occurs is when the owner opens up the gate or the animal comes outside the property, when it is not inside his property, because a dog is there to protect their property.”
Whether the unit would enforce sterilisation or not, said Mullins, would depend on the situation.
“If there is a dog attack and the SPCA recommends sterilisation, it changes the temperament of the animal sometimes. So he won’t attack or he won’t be as aggressive anymore, and then that bill does go to the owner of the dog.”
While the City along with selected animal welfare organisations will conduct annual sterilisation drives, owners remain responsible for ensuring that dogs and cats are sterilised.
“Breeders and those that do not wish to have their animals sterilised, must apply for a permit from the City,” the bylaw reads.
