Cape Town – Cape of Good Hope SPCA and the City of Cape Town Law enforcement arrested teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 years old and rescued seven dogs from dog fighting in Tafelsig, Cape Town last week.
The dogs were rescued on Friday behind Swartklip Indoor Sports Centre in Mitchells Plain after a tip-off was received, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and Cape Town law enforcement said in a joint statement.
“The culprits, all minors, were found to be between the ages of 15 and 17. A total of seven dogs were rescued. All the dogs were still young and in the process of being trained for fighting,” the statement read.
The teens will face charges of dog fighting in terms of the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962.
??????????? ???? ?? ????????
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA and the @CityofCT rescued 7 dogs from dog fighting in Tafelsig.
Read the full article: https://t.co/yi6o5g9fRb#DogFighting #AnimalCruelty #SPCA #Inspector #Dog #PitBull pic.twitter.com/MeHNT2b1lh
— Cape of Good Hope SPCA (@capespca) August 29, 2022
Following the incident, Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith said dog fighting was not a sport or entertainment.
“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,” said Smith.
Chief of Inspector, Jaco Pieterse of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA said he could not understand how people found pleasure in “watching dogs rip each other apart”.
“Dogfighting cases always make my heart drop to 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” questioned Pieterse.
According to SPCA, dog fighting is illegal and a person found guilty of being involved 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 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, warned the SPCA in the statement.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@capespca
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
