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Abuse/Neglect

CLAW is able to reach far into communities with our outreach clinics and house to house visits. Often, there are cases of neglect and abuse that we are able to assist with. Education is the most important tool to ensure animals are being kept in a responsible way. Often animals are chained or tied with wire and we are able to help with installation of running wires. People who can’t afford fencing and gates, and who have dogs will often tie the dog to prevent it from running around. The reasons aren’t malicious, but practical for the owners. A running wire allows dogs to move more freely in the property and have access to their kennels or shade as well as protecting the entrance.

Sometimes animals are poisoned in the informal settlements. Again, this is not usually due to malicious individuals. The rat problem in townships is huge and unfortunately, the cheapest method to control rats is a substance called Aldicarb. This can be purchased from most street vendors at about R5.00. Unfortunately, the Aldicarb is a controlled pesticide used in agriculture against cut worms. It is lethal and often an underfed dog will scavenge on a rubbish site and ingest a poisoned rat or the poison itself. It only takes one or two little black granules to seriously affect dogs. CLAW is involved in a forum that is looking for different alternatives to the Aldicarb problem in Soweto.

Because of extreme poverty, we often come across animals that are severely emaciated. We will always attempt to educate about feeding before confiscating but unfortunately sometimes cases are so severe that we are forced to ask the SPCA to assist in the confiscation of animals.

Over the festive season, fire crackers are a problem. We often see animals that have been traumatized by the noise, either directly burnt by crackers or injured due to trying to flee. Again, education is the most important approach when dealing with owners of pets that have been hurt due to crackers.