SPCA urges responsible ownership after fatal Mitchells Plain dog attack

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has issued an urgent appeal to the public to comply with animal welfare legislation and responsible dog ownership requirements after a Mitchells Plain woman was recently mauled to death by her own dog.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) says the tragedy forces a renewed focus on lawful ownership, uncontrolled breeding, and the responsibility of every dog owner.

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SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham says preventing further incidents requires compliance at every level.

Abraham says law enforcement cannot mitigate the risk of dog attacks when laws are ignored, and breeding remains unchecked.

"SPCA inspectors confront the consequences of neglect and indiscriminate breeding every single day. Many of the dogs that they remove from harmful conditions are pitbull-type dogs that have spent their lives chained, or being repeatedly bred, or kept in environments that fail them completely."

Abraham says without proper care, the risk of attack escalates for both owners and the surrounding community.