Stray dogs, illegal dog breeding, drugs, and suspected unlawful activities at the Fort Ikapa informal settlement were discovered after numerous complaints from residents sparked an investigation.
Glenwood Neighbourhood Watch has joined forces with the City’s Law Enforcement Department and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA to tackle an escalating issue of stray and unleashed dogs in Fort Ikapa Village (informal settlement). The situation came to light after concerned residents logged complaints, leading to swift action from local authorities.
“We were shocked by the number of unleashed dogs roaming the village,” said Tracy Alberts, deputy chair of Glenwood Neighbourhood Watch.
In response, Law Enforcement, the Animal Control Unit and the SPCA launched an operation to investigate the complaints, including concerns about illegal dog breeding. “Our officers issued several compliance notices in line with the City’s Animal Keeping Bylaw,” explained Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for Law Enforcement. “We also took time to educate residents on responsible pet ownership. Some of the dogs were taken into SPCA care for sterilisation, and we’ll be doing a follow-up visit to ensure everything stays on track.”
But the operation didn’t just stop at stray dogs. Officers were tipped-off by a resident about other illegal activities in the area, including copper cleaning and an alleged illegal wine-brewing operation. While no evidence of these activities was found drugs were discovered during a search, resulting in the arrest of one individual, who was handed over to the Goodwood police.
This joint effort by the Glenwood Neighbourhood Watch, Law Enforcement and the SPCA is seen as a big step towards solving the dog-disturbance issue in Fort Ikapa Village. Authorities are hopeful that with continued monitoring and follow-up visits the situation will improve for both the animals and the community.
