Cape Town - The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has hailed the guilty verdict handed down to a man who used puppies to beg for money.
Repeat offender Selwyn Taylor was convicted for animal cruelty, obstruction, and assault at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court.
It was also found that using animals to beg for money is a violation of the City’s Animal Keeping By-law.
Earlier this year, SPCA inspectors, with the assistance of City Law Enforcement, had apprehended Taylor, dubbed a ‘serial’ puppy seller, who also uses these animals to solicit money from members of the public.
Taylor, 33, had been arrested twice in the space of a week.
“He had become aggressive when the SPCA’s inspector tried to remove the puppy on one occasion and also assaulted Mayco Member for Urban Mobility Roberto Quintas, who had attempted to help the inspector,” said Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse.
He was arrested under the Animal Cruelty Act, as well as for common assault. However, he was released on a warning.
Pieterse said after receiving many complaints from members of the public, they warned Taylor several times to stop and also confiscated the animals he was trying to sell, but he continued regardless.
“We hope this conviction sends a strong message to those who exploit animals and people’s kindness and deter them from using pets to solicit donations from concerned Capetonians.
“We also urge members of the public not to give money to beggars using animals. It’s the worst thing to do. Rather call the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, and we’ll take the animal into safekeeping,” he said.
Cape Times