The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) on Friday denied media reports that the SPCA euthanises dogs donated by the police.
SPCA spokesperson Christine Kuch said the statement, made on Talk Radio 702 on Friday, was ”damaging”.
”A statement made on 702’s John Robbie show that the SPCA would simply euthanise dogs donated by the South African Police Service is refuted and is considered by the national council of SPCA’s to be a damaging statement,” said Kuch.
”It is defamatory and groundless.”
Kuch said a memorandum of agreement was signed between the police and the SPCA earlier this month in which it was agreed that the police will donate all dogs unsuitable for training to the SPCA rather than auction them to the public.
”The SPCA agrees to accept all donations of unsuitable dogs from the police and deal with them in accordance with the SPCA policies and legislation,” she said.
”The SPCA considers this to be an important step forward in welfare terms as dogs no longer used by the police will not find themselves sold to bidders who could use them in security operations or sell them on for whatever nefarious purpose,” said Kuch.
She said the SPCA will not supply police, security companies, the defence force or any other company or commercial operation with dogs.
Animals adopted from the SPCA go to homes where they can live and be treated as pets or companion animals, added Kuch.
”Pre-home checks are carried out. Animals are sterilised before being adopted and a legally binding agreement is signed between the individual SPCA and the adopter.”
The police are not ”dumping” dogs on the SPCA as suggested by one of the callers on the talk show, said Kuch. — Sapa