The Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspectors rescued two dogs from the confinement of a wooden box – a prison cell that they had spent their entire lives in.
Western Cape, South Africa (14 October 2022) – Inspectors from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA had to use bolt cutters to rescue two dogs from a locked wooden box in which they were permanently confined at a Valhalla property. Both dogs are now safe in the care of the SPCA.
Armed with a court order and accompanied by members of the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement, Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse expressed his dismay at the conditions in which the dogs were kept.
“We had first tried to educate the dogs’ owner since the animals’ living conditions were totally unacceptable. Unfortunately, we found the same conditions when we returned for a follow-up check, which is why we have now confiscated the animals and are laying criminal charges of animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act.”
Confined to a small wooden box with no means of escape, the two dogs lived in darkness, with inadequate ventilation.
The pups were living in disturbing conditions.
“They also had to live in their own faeces. The stench when we opened the box was overwhelming,” added Pieterse.
“If this was summer, it’s highly likely those dogs would have died a terrible death in that box. Thankfully, we got to them in time.”
The SPCA will be looking for a new home for the dogs once the legal formalities have been finalized.
How to report animal cruelty
Cruelty reports can be made in strict confidence by emailing 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.
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