New
Johannesburg Draft By-Laws on Pets
Media
Release (07/02/06) by
CONCERNED ANIMAL GROUP - CAG
OBJECTIONS
TO JOHANNESBURG Final Draft of PET BY LAWS
Report
by Concerned Animal Group Convenor, Vivienne Tothill
OBJECTIONS TO RESTRICTION OF PETS BY NUMBERS ALONE
The Concerned Animal Group, representing vast numbers of
citizens of Johannesburg, object to the City Council's restricting
animals based merely on numbers, without taking into account
responsible pet ownership, the condition of the pets and
animal welfare.
The Concerned Animal Group includes many organisations,
individuals, a number of welfare organisations, kennel union
and canine associations, and many experts in animal behaviour.
The problems in disadvantaged areas are understood and require
particular care, attention, and in considering the Johannesburg
Draft Pet Bylaws all these aspects have been taken into
consideration with recommendations such as subsidised sterilisation
programmes, educational campaigns and realistic controls.
Strong objections have been lodged and presentations delivered
by the Concerned Animal Group to three Council Committee
Meetings, namely: Public Safety on 2nd February, Municipal
Administration on 6th February, and Public Health Committee
today, 7th February. A request has been made to address
the Mayoral Committee Meeting on Thursday, 9th February,
but no approval has yet been received.
JOHANNESBURG PET NUMBERS LIMITS
The City Council's Final draft Proposal states that - no
person may keep more than two dogs in or at a "dwelling
unit"; four dogs in or at premises containing one or
two "dwelling houses"; six dogs on an agricultural
property or four dogs on or at any other premises. Similar
laws apply to cats.
CLARIFICATION NEEDED ON DEFINITIONS
The Concerned Animal Group find the terminology and definitions
unclear, e.g. what is a "dwelling unit" or a 'dwelling
house", what is meant by a "single family",
is a corrugated iron shack a dwelling house or a dwelling
unit, into what category do we place a semi-detached house?
It is considered that this law is not yet ready to be passed.
WHY RESTRICT NUMBERS?
The Concerned Animal Group asks the question, why is it
necessary to restrict numbers alone? Restricting numbers
alone willl not improve conditions. CAG contend that the
important factors that should be taken into account are
- welfare and health of the animals and the conditions in
which the animals are kept. These are the elements that
will affect public health and cause public nuisance.
CAG recommend that more attention needs to be paid to items
such as
- welfare
of the animals
- sufficient
means to care for the animals
- fencing
of properties
- hygiene
The condition and health of the animals are primary requirements
and these are not even mentioned in the By Laws.
FURTHER PROBLEMS & HEARTACHE
The By Laws are due to come into force on 1st January, 2010.
However, it is important to
note that - restricting the number of pets a person may
keep in 2010, will discourage people from taking in stray
animals during the interim period from 2006 to 2010. This
will place a huge burden on the already overloaded animal
welfare organisations. People will not be encouraged to
adopt animals as 2010 looms and this will lead to mass euthanasia,
not to mention the heartache if one is required to give
up excess pets when the law comes into force in 2010.
DIFFICULT PERMIT SYSTEM
The mention of permits, at first glance appears to be an
improvement on the first draft,
but loses its benefits when you consider the unwieldy and
complicated permit system. This requires a sworn affidavit
and a signboard to be displayed outside one's home for 2
weeks giving notice of intention to apply for a permit &
inviting neighbour's objections. The procedure appears to
be designed to inhibit applications.
STERILISATION PROGRAMME & EDUCATION ARE KEY ISSUES
A number of other items listed below were raised for attention
and amendment. However, the Concerned Animal Group emphasises
that the inclusion of Sterilisation and Education as two
key issues not dealt with in the By Laws are of particular
importance in disadvantaged areas and would humanely control
numbers. Voluntary sterilisation of pets should be encouraged
and subsidised, together with an Education programme to
teach animal care and hygiene.
The Concerned Animal Group maintains that the By Laws need
further attention and should not be rushed. Animals are
a very important part of the world and our lives and their
welfare, treatment and responsible pet ownership should
be the centre-piece of the Johannesburg Pet By Laws.
(Was it Albert Schweizer who said: People who care for animals
care for people.)
Other
points raised for attention:
- Responsible
pet ownership
- Control
of Puppy and Kitten "mills' and over-breeding
- Control
of Trading and commercial breeding
- Regulating
and inspection of pet shops
- Regulating
of animal sanctuaries
- Identification
of Animals
- Stray
Animals
- Dangerous
animals control
- Control
of dog fighting
- Fireworks
Control
For
more information, please contact:
Vivienne
Tothill
Eugenie
Chopin
