We call on the Theewaterskloof Municipality to consider the proposal of reviewing their animal bylaws to include mandatory sterilisation of domestic animals.
The Issue
ONE FEMALE DOG and her offspring will result in a population explosion of 67,000 animals in 6 years
ONE FEMALE CAT and her offspring will result in a population explosion of 178,000 animals in 7 years (American Veterinary Association)
If urgent controls are not introduced to inhibit unregulated breeding, financial pressures will surely force the closure of some animal welfare organisations, most of whom currently offer either free or subsidised sterilization to means-tested indigent owners
Regrettably, in the absence of the necessary Bylaw, too many owners in the TWK area currently refuse this option, which results in costly, repetitive and usually unsuccessful visits by their Field Workers.
Owners frequently prefer to sell the pups and kittens or, failing this, dispose of their excess animals by giving away or abandoning them.
In order to survive many of these rejects re-locate into our conservation areas where they hunt the wildlife, often even forming permanent and aggressive packs.
The picture is of Monty, found by a fieldworker in the Theewaterskloof are (Botriver). Monty is just one of many unwanted pets, left to fend for themselves.
All of the above will be ready to start their next breeding cycle within 4 to 6 months, leaving the Authorities to deal with what could eventually become a virtually insurmountable problem of overpopulation locally.
The only solution to this inevitable overcrowding at the Municipal Pound will be the euthanasia of excess animals and the disposal of their carcasses – a very expensive option indeed for the Council, and not addressing the root cause.
Unsterilised male pets fight over mating rights – with injuries to people trying to separate them, including children who land up in your clinics.
The issue of the breeding of Pit Bulls for use in illegal dog fights must surely be of major concern to the Law Enforcement Authorities. Compulsory sterilization here would make useful inroads into this very serious problem which is connected to other crimes as well.
A solution might be that only registered breeders with approved premises be allowed to have un-sterilised animals with an imposition of a suggested annual licensing fee of R1,000 p.a. per breeding animal.
This permit fee income, together with the normal licensing fees, allocated to free sterilisations undertaken by your local welfare organisations, will provide on-going control of dogs and cats in your disadvantaged areas.
Finally, controlling the overpopulation of domestic pets has health benefits for the Community at large.
Where compulsory sterilization has been in place for some time, there has been a measurable reduction in the incidence of Fleas, ticks, round-worm, sand-hook worm, tape-worm, hydatid disease, rabies, scabies, etc
Animal faeces is a source of fly-transmitted infections to humans. Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Escherica, and is carried by flies from animal faeces to food, milk, fruit and vegetables.
Recent research by animal health experts has shown that the large amount of un-vaccinated dogs is seriously affecting the health of children and causing thousands of deaths world-wide (eNCA 26.05.14)
I understand that TWK is already in possession of copies of bylaws from those Councils who have compulsory sterilization in place, all of whom have experienced measureable improvements in the numbers of animals.
The Council is urged to give the implementation of this proposal its serious consideration
The Issue
ONE FEMALE DOG and her offspring will result in a population explosion of 67,000 animals in 6 years
ONE FEMALE CAT and her offspring will result in a population explosion of 178,000 animals in 7 years (American Veterinary Association)
If urgent controls are not introduced to inhibit unregulated breeding, financial pressures will surely force the closure of some animal welfare organisations, most of whom currently offer either free or subsidised sterilization to means-tested indigent owners
Regrettably, in the absence of the necessary Bylaw, too many owners in the TWK area currently refuse this option, which results in costly, repetitive and usually unsuccessful visits by their Field Workers.
Owners frequently prefer to sell the pups and kittens or, failing this, dispose of their excess animals by giving away or abandoning them.
In order to survive many of these rejects re-locate into our conservation areas where they hunt the wildlife, often even forming permanent and aggressive packs.
The picture is of Monty, found by a fieldworker in the Theewaterskloof are (Botriver). Monty is just one of many unwanted pets, left to fend for themselves.
All of the above will be ready to start their next breeding cycle within 4 to 6 months, leaving the Authorities to deal with what could eventually become a virtually insurmountable problem of overpopulation locally.
The only solution to this inevitable overcrowding at the Municipal Pound will be the euthanasia of excess animals and the disposal of their carcasses – a very expensive option indeed for the Council, and not addressing the root cause.
Unsterilised male pets fight over mating rights – with injuries to people trying to separate them, including children who land up in your clinics.
The issue of the breeding of Pit Bulls for use in illegal dog fights must surely be of major concern to the Law Enforcement Authorities. Compulsory sterilization here would make useful inroads into this very serious problem which is connected to other crimes as well.
A solution might be that only registered breeders with approved premises be allowed to have un-sterilised animals with an imposition of a suggested annual licensing fee of R1,000 p.a. per breeding animal.
This permit fee income, together with the normal licensing fees, allocated to free sterilisations undertaken by your local welfare organisations, will provide on-going control of dogs and cats in your disadvantaged areas.
Finally, controlling the overpopulation of domestic pets has health benefits for the Community at large.
Where compulsory sterilization has been in place for some time, there has been a measurable reduction in the incidence of Fleas, ticks, round-worm, sand-hook worm, tape-worm, hydatid disease, rabies, scabies, etc
Animal faeces is a source of fly-transmitted infections to humans. Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Escherica, and is carried by flies from animal faeces to food, milk, fruit and vegetables.
Recent research by animal health experts has shown that the large amount of un-vaccinated dogs is seriously affecting the health of children and causing thousands of deaths world-wide (eNCA 26.05.14)
I understand that TWK is already in possession of copies of bylaws from those Councils who have compulsory sterilization in place, all of whom have experienced measureable improvements in the numbers of animals.
The Council is urged to give the implementation of this proposal its serious consideration
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on September 22, 2014