Stop Overstrand Punishing Our Pets

Stop Overstrand Punishing Our Pets image
Gansbaai
10 months ago
Petition to Overstrand Municipality

Please let’s unite in signing this petition to STOP the lashing out against our furry friends AND the discrimination against pet owners IN OVERSTRAND.

We require this bylaw to be scrapped in its entirety as it was compiled by individuals with no knowledge of animals/pets and there is no law enforcement to manage this as we are constantly told the SAP have their hands full to secure our safety and follow up prosecution of the high crime rate in Overstrand!

Overstrand government asked for input and feedback on this proposed bylaw relating to more strict control of dogs/cats in 2024. (All feedback it appears now was DISREGARDED and the bylaw was finalized regardless)

We - signing this petition - disagree with the bylaw in its entirety! We require an explanation why this was implemented despite input and feedback provided - without consultation!

Very detailed feedback was given at the time specifically related to:

  1. Any proposed restriction on the number of pets and the containment in a fully fenced property was NOT POSSIBLE as the informal settlements particularly do not have fences on many properties where many dogs roam.

  2. Breeding of dogs need to be looked at in consultation with veterinary knowledge but again, the problem is MORE RELEVANT to informal settlements (who may never have sterilization done as they will not pay for this)

The registering of breeders is certainly required but does one really need to carry a certificate specifying/stating that your dog is sterilized with you? We are in South Africa where forgery and scams are rife - surely this piece of paper offers another opportunity to ‘FAKE’ another piece of paper. Here is a hint: For male dogs - turn dog over. Teach inspecting official what testicles looks like. If no testicles …. Dog is sterilized!

  1. Licensing of all pets at the council: we queue quite long enough for car license, property taxes, drivers license … another job created with another salary yet another ‘tax’ and another piece of paper?

  2. It is seldom the NUMBER of dogs in a household that presents a problem! THE NUISANCE/ BARKERS/ UNNECESSARY NOISE MAKERS are sometimes JUST ONE DOG on a property! (These will not be affected /included by this bylaw at all and the ‘untrained uncared dog will prevail) THIS DOG needs training and care !!! Dogs become a nuisance to others if they do not get attention/ are not trained and cared for properly! Dogs/cats do not know intuitively right from wrong / PETS NEED TRAINING! The importance of training is not even mentioned in the BYLAW!

  3. Dogs are largely kept for our safety! To alert us if our property or ourselves are endangered- if we reduce pets to satisfy this ‘whimsical bylaw’ of Overstrand - can Overstrand guarantee our safety? Can they?

  4. THE SCARIEST THOUGHT: crime rates are SKY HIGH!!!! 2 burglaries/ month in Kleinbaai alone!!! (We are not allowed statistics for Perlemoenbaai, Franskraal, etc as the SAP ‘cannot cope’ and to maybe provide this statistic, there is a fear transparency will show failure?) THE SAP ‘DO NOT HAVE MONEY OR VEHICLES TO PATROL OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS’ - so we are advised regularly! Now the SAP is going to ‘chase’ dogs and cats?? Is our safety going to be compromised even more and the crime rate going to increase more?

There are several unanswered questions:

In my opinion, who ever wrote this bylaw does not know anything about animals & their care

  1. stralization of a well looked after dog/well bred dog, as in many breeds, it is detrimental to their growth to have them stralized at 6 months. This must be taken into consideration. Has a council of veterinary doctors been consulted in putting this document together?

  2. Cats. Why do only females have to be to be sterilized? It is the unsterilized males that wonder, that create a comotion during season, usually go into yards & attack other cats.

  3. Where is the instruction that a vetenary opinion should be obtained at the property where an animal is kept and thought to be abused/sick/neglected.

  4. Why should only dogs be taxed & not cats?

  5. Why have no dogparks in all areas been demarcated before implementation. This has been addressed on various occasions and with various mayors and councilman with NO RESPONSE!

  6. From when and for how long does a "licence" last? How will this be managed?

  7. What about seasonal visitors? Do visitors need a seasonal ‘license’ for their pets? How will this be managed?

This bylaw, while I understand that it may be nessasary in some situations, cannot be enforced.

They would have wasted less money to implement a bylaw against dustbin scratchers!

NoLeashes
Report this petition

Comments

  • Elzette Goosen 8 months ago

    Report
  • Thys Basson 9 months ago

    Report
  • Annemarie Richards 9 months ago

    Report
  • Nichol Jordaan 10 months ago

    Rather enforce the training of dogs to ensure they are obedient to owners. Pulling dogs around with ropes is not the answer and will lead to more reactive dogs.

    Report
  • Erika Kritzinger 10 months ago

    My dogs, like SO many others need to run loose. All we ask is that designated places make it possible

    Report
  • Daleen Kalis 10 months ago

    Report
  • Marina Barnard 10 months ago

    Fact: not enough off lease areas/Be responsible& pick up poo. Rather support spaying in poor areas/ dog bins where people often walk Stop manhunt against doglovers and spend money hunting real criminals.

    Report
  • Deborah Hubbard 10 months ago

    Dogs must be on leads, and this must be enforced. There is a need for at least one Dog Park , with supervision. Licences are impossible to enforce, so should be scrapped.

    Report
  • El Wyk 10 months ago

    Report
  • Lindie Du plessis 10 months ago

    Report
  • Gabriela Alexandra 10 months ago

    I disagree with a tax for having a pet.

    Report
  • Tian Claassens 10 months ago

    Report
  • Johan Venter 10 months ago

    Report
  • Fouche Hough 10 months ago

    Report
  • Lizette Nieuwenhuyzen 10 months ago

    Nobody will force me to sterilize my dogs. The law states that my animals are my property. Why would i pay a licence? Ridiculous! Rather focus on where the problems really are ie the informal settlements. But the municipality is far too scared!

    Report