Hillsides on the Grabouw side of the Hottentots-Holland mountain range have for years been plagued by the use of dog packs for hunting, and recent incursions of dog hunting on the Helderberg side has raised the alarm among residents and estates particularly in Sir Lowry’s Pass where armed handlers have used threats of violence against would-be challengers.
Now procedures are being put in place with cooperation between the SLP Farm Watch, nearby estates, security companies, drone operators and the police to tackle this issue head-on and take out the bite from the bark.
Providing some background on the current situation, Steve Chadwick of the SLP Farm Watch said the Grabouw side of the mountain was affected by hunting-dog packs in a range from the N2 to the lower flanks of Hans se Kop, within the ring of the Buys se Pad hill jeep track and on lower slopes down towards the Eikenhof dam.
“It has remained an issue despite the efforts of farmers and estate owners,” he explained.
“The objective of the handlers are thought to be for two reasons; to hunt for bush meat as there is arguably a history of hunting for bush meat; or as a competitive sport or competition between the handlers to find which dog is first to run down the best prey. Illegal hunting is gaining momentum in the Western Cape.
“Groups of handlers send their dogs out into the mountain, and this is not because they are hungry and need food, this is to wager large amounts of money, adding that the dogs, which may number up to 40, are let loose on the hill to run down any ‘game’ they might scent which is then chased until caught.
“Small game is torn to pieces before the armed handlers can reach the melee. Larger game, such as a bok, may be dispatched by bullet and taken for bush meat. And the chase is completely indiscriminate, in that the dogs will chase the first animal they find, from a rabbit, a genet, a bokkie, the Cape Fox and even a leopard”.
The recent incursions on the Helderberg side of the Hottentots Holland Mountains were initially reported during the summer of 2022-’23 when in several instances the sound of baying dogs, the cries of terrified animals and gunshots were heard on the hillside for the first time on the hills and high estates above the village of Sir Lowry’s Pass.
Chadwick said the activity was at first viewed as a rare occurrence and therefore seen as not a high priority for action.
However, this has proved not to be the case as instances of hunting dog packs in the area have increased, with at least five incidents recorded over June and July.
In one incident around 20 dogs and 12 handlers were spotted on their way up the hill in an incursion via an estate, which resulted in all surrounding estates being put on high alert, but no further sight or sound was heard.
Since then, several affected parties have pledged support to coordinate efforts to tackle dog packs and handlers, and this includes support from security partners and drone pilots who will be able to dispatch drone overflights to assist in locating and tracking.
According to Ryan Norris of SAS security, the issue is much bigger and better organised than initially thought.
“The syndicate is rumoured to have connections to other syndicates and we are committed to tackling this issue and safeguarding this community. Our approach is multi-disciplinary and we plan to monitor and intercept perpetrators, thankfully in cooperation with all our partners,” said Norris.
Somerset West police stated that it will be best that when the residents and estate managers come across incidents of hunting dog packs or their handlers to contact the Sir Lowry’s Pass satellite station immediately for police assistance.
“Case dockets will be registered against those responsible for these threats,” a spokesperson said.
Chadwick concluded “It is hoped these actions will reduce the fast decline of our already threatened wildlife, whilst interdiction of the handler gangs could result in the confiscation of illegal firearms, in this way reducing the weapons available for robberies and inter-gang violence.”
