Seven dogs in the process of being trained to participate in dog fighting have been confiscated from a group of minors in a joint operation in the Tafelsig area.
Cape of Goodhope SPCA inspectors, in conjunction with Law Enforcement Animal Control unit officer rescued the dogs on Friday 26 August, following a tip-off earlier in the day.
Dogfighting had been taking place on the fields behind the Swartklip Indoor Sports Centre.
“The culprits, all minors, were found to be between the ages of 15 and 17 years of age. A total of seven dogs were rescued. All of the dogs were still young and in the process of being trained for fighting,” says SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse in a statement.
But this is not an isolated case, he tells People’s Post.
“Majority of our cases of dog fighting involves minors (and) there has been similar cases,” he says.
Charges of dogfighting have been laid with police in terms of the Animals Protection Act. It is unclear if official arrests or charges will be brought against the minors in this case, Pieterse says, as this is up to police.
Dogfighting is illegal in South Africa. A person found guilty for any involvement in dogfighting is liable for a fine of R80 000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years with a criminal record.
“Dogfighting cases always make my heart drop into my stomach. I cannot understand how any person can find pleasure in watching dogs rip each other apart. What is even scarier, these were minors! What is happening to our society?” asks Pieterse in a statement.
“Dogfighting is not a sport or entertainment,” says JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security in a statement. “It’s cruel, illegal and those who participate are lacking in basic humanity. The law should punish those who inflict cruelty on any human or animal knowingly and wilfully with the maximum penalty.”
Not only those found participating in dog fighting are criminals.
It is a crime to be involved in any way with the fighting of animals or to own, keep, train or breed animals used for fighting. It is also illegal to buy, sell or import these animals.
It is a criminal offence to incite, encourage or allow any animal to attack another animal or proceed to fight. It is a crime to promote animal fighting for monetary gain or entertainment.
It is also considered a crime to allow any of these activities to take place on a property you own, live on or have control of.
It is a crime to watch dogfighting as is being on the same property where dogfighting is taking place.
Pieterse says the seven dogs involved in this case were confiscated, but their futures are unclear.
“Unfortunately it is not an easy task to rehabilitate dogs that were used for fighting. Our inhouse Animal Behaviourist is currently working with the dogs,” says Pieterse.
Report any act of illegal dogfighting
- Email inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za or call 021 700 4158/9 during office hours to report dog fighting and animal cruelty. You can also report via their website at https://capespca.co.za/report-cruelty/ or by calling the after-hour number 083 326 1604.
