SPCA compelled to remove suffering dogs from animal rescue organisation
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA removed 31 dogs from a 'shelter' in the Malmesbury area under a warrant this week.
Image from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, who removed 31 dogs from an animal rescue organisation' in the Malmesbury area.
Image from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, who removed 31 dogs from an animal rescue organisation' in the Malmesbury area.
'It is a really sad day for the SPCA when we have to rescue animals from another animal rescue organisation.'
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA was compelled to remove more than 30 animals from a 'shelter' in the Malmesbury area under a warrant this week.
The facility had been devastated by recent floods and a fire, but the conditions the animals were found in were symptomatic of longstanding neglect and not related to either event, the SPCA said.
"(It) is home to hundreds of animals living in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions, many in need of urgent veterinary care for issues unrelated to the recent disasters."
Cape of Good Hope SPCA
While overcrowding at the facility made it very difficult to check each and every dog, they did remove 31 of them, the SPCA reported.
These were identified by an independent veterinarian who accompanied the team to the facility, as being 'the animals most in need of care'.
The SPCA obtained a warrant after efforts to negotiate the surrender of the animals were unsuccessful.
A video of the operation posted on Facebook showed dogs that had been burnt in the fire and others that were unable to walk.
These animals had not received the necessary veterinary care, said SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse.
WARNING: The footage below shows distressing scenes
The SPCA urged the public to thoroughly vet any animal rescue organisation before offering support.
'Some well-intentioned donations have inadvertently funded suffering' it said.
"This is a situation where love for animals has turned into an obsession, and that has resulted in animals suffering."
Jaco Pieterse, Chief Inspector - Cape of Good Hope SPCA
In an update, the SPCA reported that there was a heartwarming response after it reached out the Cape Animal Welfare Forum for help to place the rescued animals in safe spaces.
The facility in question posted a response on its Facebook page 'HAWK Hounds'.
In the SPCA video, a sign reads 'Hawk Koinonia Animal Rescue Centre'.