Cape Town - A police officer from Surrey Estate could face animal cruelty charges following a probe by officials from the Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA.
In a statement released this week, the animal organisation said they confiscated three dogs after obtaining a warrant from the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
CoGH SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said they were alerted by concerned neighbours and subsequently visited the property.
“A police officer, sworn to uphold the law, has violated one of the most basic and compassionate protections in society – the humane treatment of animals.
“Despite multiple warnings issued by CoGH SPCA’s inspector Rowan Davids and a clear legal obligation under the Animals Protection Act, this individual chose continued neglect, resulting in three dogs being removed from his custody under a warrant issued by Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.”
Abraham said the officer was repeatedly warned to seek treatment for his emaciated male boerboel and to remedy the cruel conditions under which it and another dog on the property were kept – on static chains.
“Over a period of 12 days, the SPCA issued four warnings, giving the officer ample time to act.
“Unfortunately, he chose continued neglect of his animals and his legal and moral duty to care for them. With no other recourse, inspector Rowan Davids, accompanied by City of Cape Town law enforcement, executed the warrant and entered the property.
“There they found the emaciated male boerboel chained at the back of the property, a free-roaming female boerboel and a cross-breed dog chained at the front of the property.”
Abraham said while it was unknown at which station the officer was stationed at, they were compiling a docket.
“He lives in Surrey Estate but we don’t know which station he is employed at. We are in the process of compiling the docket. He will face charges for contraventions of the Animals Protection Act,” said Abraham.