Chrispin Inambao
5 January 2009
Windhoek — Red lights are flickering over the frequency of neglect and the sheer abuse of domesticated pets, and the onset of the festive season has merely worsened issues.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) rescues and gives sanctuary to painfully-thin pets that are filthy and scruffy looking for lack of professional care on top of perennially being Bob Martin-deficient or whatever this dog affliction.
Sadly some pet owners seldom budget for these pets that have to fend for themselves or worse have to subsist on leftovers or overturn municipal dustbins for bones and scraps.
SPCA, an animal welfare group, whose key mandate is to look after the wellbeing of dogs says many city dwellers made despondent by the harsh economic realities are thronging its premises opposite a glitzy mall famed as a playground for the elite and well-heeled.
In December 135 dogs plus 93 cats were dumped at SPCA premises.
There is also an increase in the number of stray cats whose lifeless bodies could be seen littering streets after being run over by motorists, some of whom obviously indulged in the excesses of this season where monetary prudence is more often tossed to the wind.
SPCA says it is concerned with the high number of pets run over so far over this season.
"By law you are required to stop and see if the animal is okay. But we see a lot of people who hit animals and just keep driving," says Sylvia Breitenstein, one of the managers.
On a visit paid by New Era to SPCA while the festivities were in full swing before climaxing into a frenzy of energetic partying, a black border collie on a leash was headed into the charity where his particulars were promptly jotted down before being kernelled.
In some cases dog owners, according to a senior SPCA employee, usually leave their dogs or cats tied up and they could eventually die from heat stroke.
Breitenstein, a manager at the animal sanctuary teeming with all sorts of dog breeds such as the humble mongrel to chow-chows, huskies, and Jack Russells among others, is very concerned about the scope of dog and cat abuse.
At the time of New Era's visit, the number of dogs either found wondering the streets of Windhoek or those voluntarily surrendered by their owners stood at 107.
Its six communal catteries each with a capacity to accommodate 20 pets were filled with at least 70 house cats with the few Siamese in those enclosures meowing for attention.
Since September, the number of 'strays' being taken in by the sanctuary has increased but with the onset of the current festive season, there has been an explosion in new arrivals.
A third of the strays taken to SPCA will eventually be united with their owners who, with a sheepish grin, will go to the animal sanctuary and ask Breitenstein, "Hey, I lost my dog, did you find it?" after which the pets are returned but upon completion of formalities.
Formalities include comparing and collaborating information in the possession of the owner to that inscribed on the pets' microchip or to that on the name tag affixed to its collar.
By law animals that spend up to 14 days after being found on the streets become city property, after which they will be forfeited by SPCA.
But more depressingly up to a third of these animals would have to be put to sleep or have to be euthanised by a veterinarian who will use a lethal drug cocktail, and the other third will be put up with new owners after de-worming, microchipping and spaying.
The other reason why some many pets seem deserted is that this is a breeding season.
When it came to pin-pointing suburbs notorious for pet abuse, she said: "I cannot say that one area is worse than the others, seriously they (culprits) are from all over town."
"But what seems weird is we get them in waves. If you get one from Kleine Windhoek you will get more dogs from Kleine Windhoek over a couple of days." She also feels many people are forced to abandon their pets purely for financial reasons and she gave the example of her street where a few "for sale" boards have been put up outside residences.
The reason is residents cannot simply afford to service pricey housing mortgages.
"There is only one place in Windhoek where you can take your animal and that is the SPCA," concluded the SPCA manager.
It appears the rarely enforced Animals Protection Act No 71 of 1962 has not helped matters and dogs will continue to pay a heavy price, as the worst animal abusers can get off easily with a fine not exceeding N$4000. Or if they are ever going to be any prosecutions the offenders could be jailed for a maximum 12 months.
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