CAPE TOWN – Three dogs have been seized from a vehicle on Long Street in the Cape Town CBD after City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officers encountered the animals living in what the SPCA Cape of Good Hope described as unacceptable conditions.

Inspector Lwazi Ntungele responded to the scene on Friday evening 18 September after Law Enforcement officers called the SPCA for assistance with a man who had three dogs at a vehicle parked in Long Street.

Not the first time

It was not the SPCA’s first encounter with the owner. Inspectors had previously intervened and issued warnings requiring him to address welfare concerns, but each time the owner would disappear from the area with the dogs, making follow-up difficult, only to reappear later. The SPCA said it had therefore been aware of the individual and the welfare concerns surrounding his dogs for some time.

Inside the vehicle

On arrival, Ntungele found one dog tethered outside the vehicle while two were inside with their owner. The interior was extremely filthy and had a strong, unpleasant odour. The confined space, occupied by three dogs and an adult male, did not provide adequate living conditions for the animals. It is believed the owner had been staying permanently inside the vehicle with the dogs.

The SPCA stressed that a motor vehicle is not an appropriate permanent living environment for three dogs, which require sufficient space to move and rest, proper ventilation, hygienic conditions, protection from the weather, and access to their basic needs. The conditions found by the Inspector raised serious animal welfare concerns and could not be allowed to continue.

Owner arrested

According to information provided to the SPCA by Law Enforcement officers at the scene, the City had received complaints about the man and the keeping and use of the dogs in the area. When officers attended to investigate, they found the man with the three dogs.

Officers reported that while they were dealing with him, he became obstructive and untied one of the dogs despite being instructed not to. He then set the dog on the officers. The man was subsequently arrested by Law Enforcement. While already under arrest and handcuffed, he continued to incite the dogs and ran back into the vehicle, where the loose dog was also present. The SPCA was then called to deal with the welfare of the animals.

Dogs removed

After assessing the dogs and the conditions in which they were being kept, Ntungele made the decision to seize them. Previous warnings had not resulted in lasting improvement, and allowing the dogs to remain under the same circumstances was not an acceptable option. All three were removed and taken into the care of the SPCA, where they can be properly assessed and cared for.

The SPCA added criminal charges relating to animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. The owner’s arrest and the investigation into his conduct towards the Law Enforcement officers are being dealt with by the relevant authorities.

Dogs are not security equipment

Law Enforcement officers were reportedly told by the owner that he used the dogs to safeguard vehicles and property. The SPCA emphasised that whatever purpose an animal is being kept for, its basic welfare needs remain protected by law. Dogs cannot simply be tethered to a fence for extended periods or confined to filthy and unsuitable conditions because they are being used for security. The Animals Protection Act places responsibilities on those who own or have custody of animals, and when warnings fail and animals continue to be kept under conditions that may cause unnecessary suffering, the SPCA will take further action where the law permits.

For these three dogs, that meant removal from the conditions in which they were found. They are now safely in the SPCA’s care.

The SPCA thanked the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officers involved for requesting their assistance and ensuring that the welfare of the dogs was addressed.

Report animal cruelty

If you witness an animal being neglected, abused, improperly tethered or kept in conditions that compromise its welfare, please report it to the SPCA. Your report may be the reason an animal gets the help it needs.