‘Fighting’ scars on two badly mauled dogs in Eerste River tell the story

POLICE are investigating alleged animal cruelty after Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspectors negotiated the surrender of two severely injured dogs, as a result of suspected dog fighting in Eerste River.

The organisation said inspector Mark Syce responded to a call at a property where he knocked, called and whistled for the homeowner to open, to no avail.

Peering through a side gate, Syce saw a chain wrapped around a pole that led into a kennel.

He continued to call and whistle until a dog emerged from the kennel, shook his head repeatedly and retreated back inside.

Balancing on a table and peering over a neighbour’s wall, Syce called out to the dog again and he reappeared, shaking his head, trying to bring some relief to what Syce saw was a badly torn ear.

The dog’s face, legs, ears and paws were covered in old fighting scars.

A second dog was also located, hidden from view behind a wall of cinder blocks.

The dog’s lip was partially detached from the jaw.

“A group of young boys on bicycles appeared, circling up and down the road and chanting ‘SPCA, SPCA’.

“It felt like an alarm was being raised and Syce did not want to leave the scene, believing that if he did, the severely injured dogs would be removed and taken to a different location, never to be seen again.”

He called for support, and as collection officer Adeeb Salie arrived, 10 youths including the owner of the dogs arrived as well.

“There were many explanations given for the condition of the dogs and the circumstances they were found in.

“Our quick-thinking inspector negotiated the surrender of the animals into the care of the SPCA to ensure that their wounds received immediate attention,” the organisation said.

Charges of animal cruelty for chaining, denial of veterinary care and dog fighting have been brought against their owner.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said: “A case of animal cruelty … is under investigation with no arrests so far.”

The SPCA earlier this week welcomed the conviction of two men for violently stabbing Benjie the dog to death in Khayelitsha. Footage of the incident went viral on social media.

The pair were sentenced to the maximum, a period of 12-month direct imprisonment, suspended for five years, subject to an equal term of 12 months’ community service under the auspices of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA directly overseen by Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse.

To report animal cruelty, call 083 326 1604 or visit https://capespca. co.za/report-cruelty/