Video footage of puppies being trained to fight was handed to the SPCA, which sparked the investigation.
Western Cape, South Africa (08 July 2022) – Inspectors of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, in partnership with the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement: Animal Control Unit, investigated a dog fighting case in Parkwood, Cape Town.
The video footage provided to the SPCA was allegedly taken the previous day. The video footage shows how a group of youngsters, some as young as seven, enticed three Pit Bull terrier-type pups to attack each other. The estimated age of the pups is approximately four months.
The pups were being trained to become fighting dogs. When the pups did not want to attack each other, they were antagonised to continue fighting. The one puppy tried to get away but was unable to as he was held tightly on a leash, forced to defend himself.
Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse and Inspector Mark Syce, accompanied by officers of Law Enforcement: Animal Control Unit, arrived at the property with a court order in hand. On the property, the Inspectors found two puppies that could be seen in the video footage. The team immediately seized the two puppies and two other dogs in terms of the Animals Protection Act, read together with Regulation 468. The entire property was searched, and further evidence was gathered.
This resulted in two further addresses being raided by the team.
The team seized a further four dogs that were uncovered. The adult pit bull terrier-type dogs found had severe old and new scarring and wounds associated with dogfighting. The dogs were also being kept in dirty and parasitic conditions.
The SPCA will now lay criminal charges of illegal animal fighting and animal cruelty against the culprits in terms of the Animals Protection Act.
“I am always shocked at people’s understanding of what it means to be kind to animals when they keep them in appalling living conditions and use them for fighting purposes. None of these dogs deserved the suffering they had to endure because of blood-hungry individuals,” said Inspector Mark Syce of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA
The rescued dogs are now in a place of safety and will never have to endure any fights again in their life.
“Dogfighting is a barbaric sport and has no place in modern society. The rescued dogs are being kept at an undisclosed location for their own safety and the safety of our staff,” said Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA
The law
Dogfighting is illegal in South Africa. A person found guilty of any involvement in dogfighting is liable for a fine of R80,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 24 months with a criminal record.
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. Moreover, 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 it is being on the same property where dogfighting is taking place.
Report any act of illegal dogfighting
Cruelty reports can be made in strict confidence by email inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za or telephonically by calling 021 700 4158/9 during office hours. You can also report cruelty online via our website at https://capespca.co.za/report-cruelty/ or by calling the after-hour number 083 326 1604.
“More than just a bloodthirsty sport, dogfighting is a cruel form of inhumane entertainment that is used by criminal gangs to groom youth in our communities and recruit them into a violent society where death becomes an acceptable norm. There is nothing normal about such cowardly human behaviour. While communities are buckling under the terror inflicted by such gangs, the City calls upon these same communities to take note of those involved in the illegal sport of dogfighting and to report it.” said Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security for the City of Cape Town
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