Animal welfare authorities are appealing for help to halt a spate of dog poisonings in Ocean View, Kommetjie, near Cape Town, where as many as 20 dogs have been targeted in mostly fatal attacks.
The motivation behind the attacks is still unclear, though one welfare volunteer suspected it could be the work of thieves intent on robbing homes in the area.
A large proportion of the incidents happened in an area of Ocean View called Lapland.
“It happens once in a while, but this time we had 20 dogs killed in a month in one area,” said Trijntje de Jonge, a volunteer for animal welfare group 1 Kennel at a time which feeds and rescues animals in poor areas but mostly in Ocean View and Red Hill informal settlement.
“One family had three dogs poisoned and all died at the same time. Another three properties had two dogs [targeted] at the same time. Only one survived,” said De Jonge.
“It is very upsetting and depressing for us, because we know a lot of these dogs.”
The organisation has been rescuing and feeding dogs since the Covid-19 pandemic, but this is the first time it has seen poisonings on such a large scale.
One eyewitness reported seeing an adult male suspect, but nobody has been identified.
The Cape of Good Hope branch of the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) confirmed it was investigating a poisoning complaint.
“Unfortunately, no suspect has been identified ... If anyone has any further information, we would sincerely appreciate them coming forward,” said SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham. “All complaints will be taken confidentially,” she added.
Ingrid de Storie, a longtime Ocean View welfare volunteer, said laboratory toxicology reports confirmed the dogs had been poisoned. Some were taken for treatment to the nearby TEARS welfare centre in Masiphumelele. One owner who lost a dog said her pet had eaten something thrown into the yard.
“Symptoms were the same: disoriented, drinking water excessively, bleeding, drooling, and seizures,” De Storie said in a Facebook post. “The dogs were found dead with no signs of being sick before.”
“In one street, four dogs were poisoned. We think these dogs were too alert and needed to [be] rid off. It's absolutely shocking what people are capable of.
“As far as we know, only one dog has survived after treatment at TEARS.”
News of the poisoning has evoked an outpouring of sympathy and outrage on social media.
“This is just shockingly cruel. I so hope someone is eventually held accountable and charged with cruelty,” said Julia Marzio in a Facebook post. “This is heartbreaking,” added Lesley Leask. “I’m so sad to think anyone would want to do this.”
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