Being a Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspector comes with its challenges which includes threats, physical assaults and dog bites.
In a recent incident, on Monday 25 July, SPCA inspectors were bitten and physically attacked in Lakeside after dogs were reportedly incited to attack.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said the perpetrator was arrested and his underweight dogs confiscated.
“The Cape of Good Hope SPCA received several calls concerning a man walking with two severely underweight dogs in Lakeside, near Muizenberg. According to the complainants, the dogs were not in good condition and required urgent intervention. The complainants offered assistance to the man, but he refused their offer of help.”
Pieterse said when SPCA inspectors arrived at the scene and tried to assess the dogs the owner became hostile.
“The suspect refused to comply and fled the scene, running with the dogs in an attempt to get away from Cadet Inspector Eugene Links. Links was hot on his heels and managed to follow him until backup arrived.”
The man ran all the way from Lakeside with the dogs and was finally apprehended in Retreat.
“The two dogs attacked Cadet Inspector Links, biting him on his arm. The suspect then physically attacked and assaulted Inspector Taljaard who then had no other option but to defend himself by spraying the suspect with pepper spray. Fortunately, Inspector Taljaard was able to restrain the suspect and arrested him.”
The suspect was taken to the Steenberg Police Station where he was formally charged and detained on charges of obstruction and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“The dogs are in our care, receiving veterinary care and being fed an appropriate diet to assist with gaining weight. The perpetrator has been charged and is set to appear in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court,” said Pieterse.
He added that the inspectors were on the mend after the attack.
“We have had cases where our inspectors have been locked inside premises, threatened and physically assaulted.”
To avoid a dog attack, Pieterse said people must never approach unknown dogs, but to rather leave the situation to professionals.
“The best is to avoid approaching dogs you do not know. Rather leave it to the professionals to handle.”
It is a criminal offence for any person to obstruct an SPCA inspector.
If found guilty of obstruction, a person can be sentenced to a fine of up to R40 000 and/or 12 months imprisonment with a criminal record.
