Animals found in ‘deplorable conditions’ at Somerset West shelter [video]

The Cape of Goodhope SPCA, was on Wednesday 1 July, summoned to confiscate animals from disgraceful conditions in a house in Somerset West. 

Warning: The content contained within this article features imagery which some readers may find disturbing.

The “rescue” organisation called Township Animal Rescue has been operating from a residential property in Somerset West.  

WATCH: NEARLY 20 ANIMALS KEPT IN ‘UNHYGIENIC’ CONDITIONS

SPCA inspectors had to obtain a court order to gain access to the property and were horrified with what they found. The animals, made up of 15 dogs (three adult dogs and 12 puppies), three cats and one rat, were being kept in dirty and unhygienic conditions.

“The entire property, including the house and a cottage on the premises, were found to be untidy, dirty, covered with rubble and waste – animal faeces and urine covered most of the surfaces,” said the SPCA in a statement on Thursday. 

“Consequently, there was a very unpleasant and strong ammonia odour hanging in the air. In fact, the smell was so bad that it was noticeable beyond the perimeter of the property,” it said.   

 FAMILIAR SIGHT 

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the SPCA visited the premises and attempted to improve the living conditions of the animals. Several previous warnings have gone unheeded. 

“This confiscation followed an inspection conducted by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on 8 June 2020, when our Inspectors also had to obtain a court order to gain access to the premises of Township Animal Rescue,” it said.   

“During this inspection, our inspectors found 18 dogs (14 adult dogs and four puppies), nine cats and two rats living in the same deplorable conditions. (One of the rats subsequently died.)” it said.   

“On this occasion, our Inspectors found more animals on the property than there had been during a previous inspection on 3 June 2020, indicating that animals had been hidden from us,” it added.  

TOWNSHIP ANIMAL RESCUE FAILS TO HONOUR AGREEMENT 

During the inspection in Somerset West on 8 June 2020, it was agreed between Township Animal Rescue and the SPCA that all the pets would be removed from the property for safekeeping until the property had been cleaned.

At the request of the rescue organisation, the dogs were taken to the Stellenbosch Animal Welfare Society and the cats to the SPCA in Grassy Park for safekeeping. Township Animal Rescue was afforded 21 days to clean the property before any of them would be returned. It was also agreed that no other pets would be brought onto the property until they had complied with the agreement.

“Sadly no improvements were made and, if anything, the property was in an even worse condition than we had previously found it. Instead of cleaning the property Township Animal Rescue had accumulated more animals,” it said. 

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA will now be proceeding with criminal charges for animal cruelty and obstructing the SPCA from giving effect to its statutory duties.

“We strongly urge members of the public to research and visit any welfare organisation before deciding to support them financially or to leave animals in its care. You may unknowingly and unwillingly be supporting unethical practices,” said the SPCA.