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14 dogs rescued from house
22/11/2006 07:45 - (SA)
Ilse Fredericks, Die Burger
Cape Town - The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has removed 14 injured dogs that may have been used in dogfights in the southern suburbs. They are investigating 64 charges of animal abuse against the owners.
Andries Venter, chief inspector of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, said the animals had all been found at a house in Wetton, after various complaints of cruelty to animals. These were investigated and the dogs were subsequently removed.
The dogs, which include 12 American pitbull terriers, had serious bite wounds and scratch marks, infection in their paws, and one had a torn muzzle. Chunks of the dogs' ears had been cut out.
The SPCA is conducting its own inquiry and a dossier will be handed over to the police, Venter said.
Venter said an animal behaviour expert had found the dogs to be problem animals and suffering from neuroses.
He could not say if the animals had definitely been used for dogfights, but people were prone to use American pitbulls for this purpose.
"Street fights, and underground fights between dogs occur regularly in the Western Cape."
June Woodman, chairperson of the SPCA in the Cape Peninsula said there was big money involved in such fights.
"We suspect that they are organised, and that fights are scheduled shortly before they take place."
"In Britain there are laws against such dangerous dogs."
The SPCA wants Cape Town City Council to introduce something similar.
Jeanette Erasmus, president of the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa, said there were huge problems with breeders and fights in the Western Cape.
"Many of them don't know what they are doing. We are against these fights. The dogs are loving animals, but it depends how they are treated by their owners."
It is not yet clear what will happen to the confiscated dogs.
- Die Burger
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