ACTIVISTS are calling for stricter laws and harsher penalties following recent horrific cases of animal cruelty in Chatsworth and Isipingo where two puppies' paws were hacked off.
Pat Naidoo, who rescues animals in Chatsworth, said she was horrified when she recently collected a litter of stray puppies from a family in Havenside.
“A family had been feeding a stray pregnant dog that lived behind their home. They told us about the litter and we secured a kennel from a donor for them. When we arrived, one of the pups only had half of his front leg. His leg was cleanly cut off. The person made two other lacerations higher up on the pup's leg, but failed to hack it off and then chopped it off at the bottom."
She said they took the pup to a veterinarian.
"The vet said the pup’s leg was cut off when it was days old. The pup is now recovering."
Naidoo said she and fellow rescuers could not understand what drove people to do this.
"There needs to be stricter laws and harsher penalties for the perpetrators of crimes against animals. It still shocks me when people tell me there are stray cats or dogs at places of worship and that I must get rid of them. How can men of God react this way instead of offering food or water?"
Nirvana Ramlall, the founder of Pet Rescue Isipingo, said a woman called and informed her that someone had hacked off her neighbour's pup's paw.
"The owner failed to seek medical attention for the pup, who was four weeks old. The owner handed the pup to the neighbour as she did not want to discuss what had transpired to us. She said she found the dog in that state one morning.
"It seems the paw was hacked off when the pup was around a week old. The rest of the leg began to rot and the pup was left with a bare, dry bone. The pup was taken to the Montclair Animal Hospital where her leg was amputated. She has recovered very well. I am still looking for a special foster home for her, with a family who will love her unconditionally."
She said people were getting away with violating animals' rights every day.
"They are getting away with it because they know how easy it is to perpetrate against animals, who have no voice."
Neeri Naidoo, the co-founder of the Phoenix Animal Care and Treatment, said they were inundated with cases of animal abuse.
“We have too many dogs in kennels and no resources left. The calls don't stop. We refer them to other organisations, including the SPCA. Animal cruelty is an ongoing societal problem. The laws that 'protect' animals are not adequate. We have a social responsibility to children, animals, and women. If you see something, say something. You are equally responsible if you don’t."
Tanya Fleischer, the marketing manager for the Durban and Coast SPCA, said: “Reports of cruelty and neglect are always coming in. We deal with dozens of matters daily."
She added that a number of people handed over their pets to the SPCA as they could no longer afford to keep and treat them.
"Hand them over instead of allowing them to suffer in any way. If you know or suspect an animal is being neglected or abused, speak up. You may be that animal’s only chance of being rescued.”
According to statistics at the Durban and Coast SPCA during 2023/2024, 10 263 cases of cruelty were investigated. A total of 465 stray and unwanted animals were rehomed and 48 242 animals were treated at their clinic.