The GOOD Party has come out strongly against the City of Cape Town’s draft Animal Keeping By-Law, calling it “totally absurd” and urging residents to read it and make their voices heard before the 29 September deadline.

The City has invited public comment on proposed amendments to the by-law. Officials say the changes aim to protect public health and safety by setting rules for vaccination, quarantine, and animals in public spaces. The proposed changes also include bans on using animals for hunting, wild and exotic animals in circuses, and glue traps, as well as stronger rules for working animals and shorter pound retention periods. The draft is available at subcouncil offices, City libraries, and online.

But the GOOD Party says the proposed by-law goes far beyond the animal cruelty and neglect protections already in place under the Animals Protection Act, and introduces provisions that would give law-enforcement officers sweeping powers over pet owners and small businesses.

Paid permits for pet owners

The GOOD Party says the by-law would create a new permitting system requiring cat and dog owners to pay for permits, not register their pets for free. Further paid permits would be needed for unsterilised pets, aviaries with more than five birds, more than five chickens, or a rabbit.

The party also says people who run pet-grooming businesses would only be allowed to operate from fixed premises with dedicated bathrooms, clipping rooms, and approved building plans. This, the party argues, would effectively shut out the small, owner-operated businesses that make up most of the sector.

Residents who breach the administrative requirements could face up to two years in prison – the same maximum penalty as for organising animal fighting.

Search without a warrant

The proposed Section 42, titled “Search and Seizure without a warrant”, would allow Metro Police, traffic officers, and police to search a person, premises, or vehicle without consent or a warrant, where an official believes a warrant would be granted and delay would defeat the purpose.

The GOOD Party says this means officers already stretched by gangsterism, extortion, and violent crime would be given the power to search without a warrant simply to enforce pet paperwork.

Claims and counterclaims

The party has accused the DA’s Alderman JP Smith, the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, of being “vague and dishonest” about the by-law’s contents.

The GOOD Party says Smith publicly claimed the by-law “does not require pet licensing”, that it offers “free” registration, and that the City “cannot search your premises without a warrant.” The party says all three claims are untrue.

The GOOD Party says public participation exists so residents can flag problems before legislation is finalised, and that telling residents an absurd by-law is harmless, as Smith did, discourages the very scrutiny the process is designed to encourage.

The party is encouraging Capetonians to read the proposed by-law and submit their comments before the 29 September deadline. Comments can be sent by email to animal.bylaw@capetown.gov.za, submitted online via the City website, or mailed in writing to the Law Enforcement Department.

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