After 19 African penguins were killed by an off-leash dog at Seaforth Beach on 28 October, the City of Cape Town opened a case at the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The African penguins were killed by a dog after being analysed by the SANCCOB vet. Picture: SANCCOB
A veterinarian at SANCCOB analysed the penguins after the incident, describing severe puncture wounds and bite parks. Among the carcasses discovered, two African penguin chicks were also killed – confirming that the predation took place on land.
This is not the first incident, according to SANCCOB, where there have been several dog attacks on penguins in Simons Town which the organisation describes as ‘completely unnecessary and avoidable.’
The City of Cape Town is handling this case seriously, with the deputy mayor and spatial planning and environment Mayco member, Eddie Andrews, saying that a full investigation was conducted with the assistance of the City’s law enforcement.
‘The owners were not arrested. The incident is being dealt with in terms of the Animal Keeping By-Law. The dogs were impounded and the owner was charged with failure ‘to prevent any animal from attacking, worrying or frightening any other person or animal’. The case will now be dealt with through the courts,” Andrews said.
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