The Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Animal Control Unit has confiscated two husky dogs from a residential property in Simon’s Town after approximately 19 African penguins were killed.
Dead and dying penguins were discovered on Seaforth Beach in the early hours of Friday, 28 October by a jogger who then alerted The SPCA’s Wildlife Department.
In a statement, the SPCA reported that the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) subsequently confirmed that the birds’ death appeared to be caused by dog bites.
The SPCA has an affidavit from an eyewitness who attempted to stop the two dogs from attacking the penguins.
‘Two husky-type dogs were seen at Seaforth Beach attacking various penguins. The eyewitness approached the dogs to try and stop them, but the dogs ran off. The eyewitness tried to follow the dogs but lost sight of them, and when he returned to the beach to assist the penguins, the dogs were back again, attacking the penguins.’
The eyewitness traced the off-leash huskies to their home and the matter was then reported to the authorities.
The African penguin is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Seaforth Beach ‒ on the border of Boulders Beach ‒ is a prominent nesting site for around 150 of this endangered animal.
Numerous signs forbidding off-leash dogs can be seen at the beach and parking lot.
In accordance with the Animal Keeping By-law, the dogs were impounded on Monday by the City of Cape Town law Enforcement and SPCA Inspectors.
Chief Inspector, Jaco Pieterse, says ‘the SPCA will ensure that justice is served for these penguins, who suffered a traumatic death because of irresponsible dog owners. We don’t believe that the dogs are to blame, but will hold their irresponsible owners accountable’.
The owner has the right to appeal any decision made by the City.
Letting dogs run off-leash in a public space is a contravention of the City of Cape Town Animal Keeping By-law and should be reported to Law Enforcement on 021 480 7700.
Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA / Facebook
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