{"id":51839,"date":"2022-11-01T07:18:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T05:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/19-endangered-penguins-killed-in-simons-town-as-off-leash-dogs-wreak-devastation-on-colony-20221031\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:11:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:11:45","slug":"19-endangered-penguins-killed-in-simons-town-as-off-leash-dogs-wreak-devastation-on-colony-20221031","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/19-endangered-penguins-killed-in-simons-town-as-off-leash-dogs-wreak-devastation-on-colony-20221031\/","title":{"rendered":"19 endangered penguins killed in Simon\u2019s Town as off-leash dogs wreak devastation on colony"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two Husky-type dogs have been confiscated from their owners after the killing of 19 endangered penguins at Seaforth Beach in Simon\u2019s Town over the weekend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Numerous signs at the beach and parking lot warn visitors that off-leash dogs are not allowed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cape of Good Hope SPCA (CoGH SPCA) chief inspector, Jaco Pieterse, said their wildlife department was alerted to the incident on Friday 28 October.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe dogs were impounded today (Monday) in terms of the Animal Keeping By-law by the City of Cape Town, assisted by CoGH SPCA inspectors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe SPCA will ensure that justice is served for these penguins, who suffered a traumatic death because of irresponsible dog owners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t believe that the dogs are to blame, but will hold their irresponsible owners accountable,\u201d said Pieterse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Around

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Around 19 endangered penguins suffered a traumatic death.<\/div>\n
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\"Two

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Two Husky-type dogs were removed from a property in Simon\u2019s Town earlier today after the death of 19 endangered penguins last week.<\/div>\n
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CoGH SPCA and the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit removed the two dogs from a residential property in Simon\u2019s Town, with the dogs impounded, the City now has a process to follow in terms of the Animal Keeping By-Law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He says the owner also has the right to appeal any decision made by the City.. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to an eyewitness, who tried to stop the carnage on Friday, the dogs were seen attacking multiple penguins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe SPCA has an affidavit from an eyewitness who witnessed the incident. It was reported that two husky-type dogs were seen at Seaforth beach attacking various penguins.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) has since confirmed that the birds\u2019 death appeared to be caused by dog bites.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seaforth Beach is a prominent nesting site for around 150 endangered African penguins and is on the border of Boulders Beach \u2013 the world-famous African penguin breeding colony. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Off-leash dogs in a public space is a contravention of the City of Cape Town Animal Keeping By-law and should be reported to Law Enforcement on 021 480 7700.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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