SPCA remove family pet

Natasha Moodley and her family adopted Willow (a Yorkshire terrier) two years ago from the Brakpan SPCA.

The Moodleys had bought a new house and decided to move in with their parents while the house was being renovated.

She said, “We used to live in a complex but Willow had to adapt to her new surroundings and a much bigger garden. This meant that Willow barked a bit more then she usually did which upset my parents nextdoor neighbour, a lot.”

Moodley explained that her parents’ dog, a Jack Russel called Tracer, escaped and caused an accident on the road outside their house.

“Luckily no one was injured during the accident and Tracer survived the ordeal unscathed. After this my parents started to put Tracer and Willow on leashes just before everyone arrived home in the evenings.”

Moodley further explained that both of the dogs were only on leashes between 4pm and 5pm. “Our neighbour started complaining about the dogs and reported the situation to the SPCA.”

On 17 January an inspector from the Roodepoort SPCA arrived at the complex. “My husband opened the gate for the lady and she entered the property and asked my husband if Willow was an SPCA dog. As soon as my husband said yes she took Willow back to Roodepoort SPCA.” The following day the family went to their local SPCA to try and persuade the organisation to give their animal back but they told the family that they had a right to take the dog because of a breach of the contract the family signed with the SPCA.

Roodepoort SPCA chairperson Jaco Pieterse said, “The SPCA is there for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Any SPCA adopted animal remains the property of the SPCA in terms of the Adoption Contract which is signed by the adopter. There are certain requirements that must be met in terms of the Adoption Contract, any breaches in terms of this document automatically gives the SPCA’s inspectors the authority to remove the animal in concern without the permission of the owner.”

He added the contract states that, ‘I will not chain or cage the animal, and understand that if it is found chained or caged, it will be removed from my care immediately.’ Moodley said they then asked the SPCA to produce proof that they signed the same contract but the organisation did not send them anything.

A week later Brakpan SPCA allegedly made a statement that stated that Willow died after it contracted the Parvo virus. However, Natasha’s husband Kohen then found out that Willow was in fact still alive and they attempted to contact the couple who adopted her.

Pieterse clarified the situation and said the SPCA is not allowed to give out details of Willow’s new owners and that the organisation denied the allegations that Willow had the Parvo virus. He added, “We feel no need to comment on the allegations relating to the dog contracting the Parvo virus since the dog has been re-homed and is healthy. When dogs contract the Parvo virus they require intensive treatment. We can confirm that no treatment was given to Willow as the dog was not sick. At the Roodepoort SPCA we take great care and preventive measures in ensuring that the highest animal husbandry standards have been met.”

Moodley concluded that they felt that the situation was handled badly by the organisation and they will continue to question the situation until the truth comes out.

Details: Roodepoort SPCA 011 672 0448