MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Anyone who was previously convicted or who has had a civil judgment made against in respect of cruelty to an animal, or who has previously had an animal removed from his or her care, or whose permit to keep an animal has been cancelled, will in future be allowed to keep animals in Mossel Bay, unless the municipality determines otherwise.
At Council's meeting on Thursday, 25 June it was unanimously approved that the proposed new by-law relating to dogs, cats and other animals be accepted for public comment. The existing by-law will be repealed upon promulgation of the proposed new by-law.
The purpose of the proposed by-law is to provide for the control over, the number of, and the breeding of dogs, cats and other animals, the prevention of nuisances, and to provide for incidental matters.
The proposed by-law states that the municipality may restrict the number of dogs and/or cats that may be kept on any premises.
The new by-law provides that no-one living in a flat may keep more than one dog or one cat and anyone wishing to keep more must obtain the municipality's prior, written consent.
Residents are restricted to two dogs and two cats per house. The proposed new by-law also provides for restrictions and regulations to the keeping of bees, snakes and arachnids, horses, cattle and animals that otherwise would be deemed farm animals such as chickens and pigs.
Anyone who wants to keep more than two dogs must apply to the municipality for a permit. Permits must be renewed every two years and may be cancelled if circumstances exist that compel the municipality to do so.
"In cases where residents have existing permission from the municipality for keeping more than two dogs or cats, the proposed new by-law will not revoke that permission," the municipal spokesperson, Mr Harry Hill told the Mossel Bay Advertiser.
Residents who own Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers and Pit Bull Terriers over the age of four months will require permits from the municipality once the proposed by-law is accepted.
Tail docking and ear cropping of any dogs are specifically prohibited. Likewise, no animal may in any form be used for fighting with another animals. Neither may any resident have animals participate in dog fighting, host dog fighting on their premises or attend dog fights.
The proposed by-law specifically prohibits, for the sake of public health, the keeping of poultry on residential premises without the express permission of the municipality.
"No animals, including dogs and cats, may be housed in an enclosure such as a crate that restricts natural freedom of movement or does not allow sufficient space for exercise according to the needs of that animal," the proposed by-law states.
It also determines that "no person may terrify or cause stress or fear to any animal with fireworks or by any other means."
Unless the owner obtains a permit from the municipality to keep an unsterilised domestic animal, all dogs and cats, male or female over six months of age, must in accordance with this by-law be sterilised. To keep domestic pets that are not sterilised, a permit from the municipality is required.
The tariff in respect of the proposed new by-law relating to dogs, cats and other animals have not been established as the law is still in the public participation phase. Only after Council has approved it, will tariffs be promulgated. The municipality will in due course publish the proposed by-law for public comment.
ARTICLE: NICKEY LE ROUX, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER - JOURNALIST.
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