Finding recent statistics on lost pets in South Africa can be just as hard as, well, finding a lost pet.
An article dating back seven years on the jockdogfood website states that “lost pets are quite common in South Africa, with one in three dogs estimated to go missing at least once in their lifetime”.
“Of these, almost 90% will never find their way home again,” the article reads.
Despite these odds, yet another online article, this time published on an American website, tells pet owners not to lose hope.
According to ThePets, a stray dog can potentially survive for months or even years.
“If a dog has no food and no shelter, it will likely not survive for more than days or weeks. If your pup is able to survive off treats from strangers, scraps, and discarded food, as well as having somewhere warm and dry to sleep at night, they could survive for months or years,” the article reads.
One such pet owner who has not lost hope is Francois Smith-Symms. His dog, Strider, went missing more than two years ago, but still he continues to search, putting up posters and even urinating at spots, daily, where he says his dog was reportedly seen. One of these places is the Tokai Forest picnic area close to the north gate.
In recent months, Smith-Symms has taken issue with SANParks who, he claims, is removing his posters. He is even threatening to take them to court.
But what are the legalities when it comes to putting up posters in urban areas and public open spaces?
An article published on News24 (“Posters on street signs illegal”, 20 February 2019) states that, according to municipal bylaw Schedule 16, posters advertising services such as tree felling and road tarring on lamp posts, traffic lights and stop signs are unlawful. With regards to the positioning of these signs it states:
- A poster may not be displayed on an electric light standard or any other structure which is not provided for the express purpose of pasting or affixing posters and notices.
- A sign may not be erected on a power line standard, a road traffic sign or signal, a wall, a column, a poster of a veranda or balcony, an electricity box, a tree or bridge.
- A sign may not cover any municipal markings or painted stripes on a lamp post.
- A sign may not be displayed on a road which carries a speed limit in excess of 80 km/h.
- A structure provided for the express purpose of pasting or affixing posters and notices may only be erected in pedestrian environments and may not be aimed at motorised traffic.
Eddie Andrews, the City of Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, says the same applies to posters for missing pets.
He says City employees and contractors remove unauthorised signage.
“The City responds to public complaints and the by-law applies to all public spaces – roads, parks, road reserves, municipal premises.”
He explains that although there is no fine, the City charges for the removal based on a published tariff adopted by Council as part of the annual budget process.
“Unauthorised signage, in general, has a visual impact on our heritage and tourist/scenic routes and places, traffic safety (in cases where these obscure views of oncoming traffic, for example), general safety (how and where signage is installed), and so forth,” says Andrews.
As to the legality of placing posters in national parks, SANParks responded to People’s Post’s query by referring to the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (2003). Under the heading “Regulations for the proper administration of special nature reserves, national parks and world heritage sites” it reads:
“No person shall, without the written permission of the management authority in a special nature reserve, national park or world heritage site, deface, paint, write on, cut names or letters in or otherwise make marks or affix bills on trees, rocks, gates, fences, buildings, signs or other property or in any other manner spoil features, buildings or facilities (6).”
Belinda Abraham, Manager: Communications, Resource Development and Education at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, advises if pets do go missing to notify the SPCA and surrounding animal welfare organisations, veterinarians in your immediate area and community WhatsApp groups.
She also suggests sharing information about missing pets on social media.
“Keep an eye on social media pages like Cape Town Lost and Found Pets, Northern Suburbs CT Lost and Found, Lost Pets Southern Suburbs Cape Town, South Peninsula Pets – Lost and Found and Cape Town lost and found Dogs,” says Abrahams.
Pet owners can also log the incident on the City’s Pet Finder Website.
- Call the SPCA’s lost and found department on 021 700 4166.
