SPCA: Cops not 'dumping' dogs

2006-11-24 16:30

Johannesburg - The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) denied on Friday media reports that the SPCA euthanases dogs donated by police.

SPCA spokesperson Christine Kuch said the statement made on Talk Radio 702 on Friday was "damaging".

"A statement made on 702's John Robbie show that the SPCA would simply euthanase dogs donated by the SA Police Service (SAPS) is refuted and is considered by the national council of SPCA's to be a damaging statement," said Kuch.

"It is defamatory and groundless."

Kuch said a memorandum of agreement was signed between the police and the NSPCA earlier this month in which it was agreed that the police would donate all dogs unsuitable for training to the SPCA rather than auction them to the public.

Dogs sold to bidders

"The SPCA agrees to accept all donations of unsuitable dogs from the police and deal with them in accordance with the NSPCA policies and legislation," she said.

"The NSPCA considers this to be an important step forward in welfare terms as dogs no longer used by the police will not find themselves sold to bidders who could use them in security operations or sell them on for whatever nefarious purpose," said Kuch.

She said the SPCA's would not supply police, security companies, the defence force or any other company or commercial operation with dogs.

Animals adopted from the SPCA go to homes where they could live and be treated as pets or companion animals, added Kuch.

"Pre-home checks are carried out. Animals are sterilised before being adopted and a legally binding agreement is signed between the individual SPCA and the adopter."

The police were not "dumping" dogs on the SPCA as suggested by one of the callers on the talk show, said Kuch.

- SAPA