# comments - Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/comments/ - Published: 2026-09-03T14:52:42+02:00 - Author: dearSA _Advert_ _Advert – scroll down_ Displaying the **5** latest comments. [ view more ...](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/comments2/) | Submitted | first-name | support | concern | top-concern | message | | 2026-10-30 17:07:31 +02:00 | Elizabeth | No I do not | All of the above | Universal Pet Permits & Fees | We already have to pay so many licenses and taxes. Now this ..... | | 2026-10-29 20:17:01 +02:00 | Bendré | No I do not | All of the above | Warrantless Home Entry (Section 42) | We dont need more laws. We dont even have more serious laws enforced. Our country is falling apart, and this is what government focuses on? | | 2026-10-29 09:49:49 +02:00 | Amy | No I do not | All of the above | Universal Pet Permits & Fees | I object to these clauses. They are outlandishly severe in their penalization of urban homesteaders, permaculturists, and residents attempting to mitigate food inflation through backyard egg and protein production. Mandating formal municipal building plan submissions and professional architectural approvals for basic wooden chicken coops, rabbit runs, and pigeon lofts is completely disproportionate. This will place incredible strain on already struggling house hold that shift to keeping animals to try and save funds to compensate for other inflating prices. | | 2026-10-28 18:51:46 +02:00 | Claire | No I do not | Warrantless Home Entry (Section 42) | | Although I agree that illegal breeding and puppy mills must be stopped, this by-law will negatively affect all pet owners and NPO's. The wording in this by-law is quite vague and honestly concerning. It will most likely lead to the collapse of volunteer foster care which will lead to overcrowding of animal shelters. Turning basic pet ownership into a municipal licensing scheme places an ongoing financial burden on households already struggling with municipal tariff increases and living costs. Requiring administrative paperwork and annual charges for domestic pets creates an unnecessary bureaucracy that City Law Enforcement lacks the capacity to administer fairly, ultimately punishing law-abiding pet lovers while neglecting neglected animals. | | 2026-10-27 15:26:38 +02:00 | Lucielle | Not fully | All of the above | Universal Pet Permits & Fees | Religious animal sacrifice is not part of Christian practice. Not supported at all - has no power. Strongly apposed to mandatory sterilization unless the safety or health of the animal is issue. Agreed that there needs to be more involvement with the care and control of residential pets in general. But not for mere numbers or to make money but for the safety and wellbeing of animals, owners and neighbors! Please ADD the noise & vibration from business environments and long term impact on our animals. I have asked law enforcement where this appears ... there is nothing! | [🟢 What Supporters Say (Proponents & Welfare Advocates)](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/comments/#1770892117175-dfc38055-c8382881-c40829ea-cbef) - _Pet Permits & Fees_ A municipal permit database ensures all companion animals are registered, vaccinated against rabies, and traceable to accountable owners. - _Pet Quotas & Limits_ Property density limits (e.g., 2 dogs in a flat, 3 in a house) prevent pet hoarding, overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions, and noise nuisances in dense suburbs. - _Mandatory Sterilisation_ Mandatory sterilisation of dogs and cats over 6 months stops mass shelter euthanasia, combats uncontrolled backyard breeding, and prevents roaming strays. - _Working Animals & Cruelty_ Enshrining heat limits (no work over 30°C), load caps, mandatory rest, and bans on chaining guard dogs gives inspectors enforceable tools to end systemic abuse. - _Warrantless Searches_ Swift, warrantless access is vital when an animal is trapped in a hot vehicle, facing severe cruelty, or when illegal dog-fighting operations are underway. - _Poultry, Birds & Urban Farming_ Setting strict limits on backyard livestock and poultry prevents odour, flies, rat infestations, and noise disturbances like crowing roosters in dense suburbs. - _Cultural / Religious Slaughter_ Advance notice (14 days) and neighbour notifications ensure health inspectors can oversee humane handling and hygienic waste disposal. [🔴 What Opponents Say (Pet Owners, Rescuers & Ratepayers)](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/comments/#1770892117205-3c7c32e1-ce3d2881-c40829ea-cbef) - _Pet Permits & Fees Requiring a paid permit for every single pet is a backdoor municipal revenue grab that penalises responsible pet owners and creates massive bureaucratic waste. - _Pet Quotas & Limits_ Arbitrary quotas ignore an owner’s financial ability, care standards, and property layout. It criminalises good owners and cripples temporary animal foster parents and rescue networks. - _Mandatory Sterilisation_ Without heavily subsidised veterinary infrastructure, mandatory sterilisation acts as an unaffordable barrier that unfairly targets working-class pet owners. - _Working Animals & Cruelty_ High regulatory fees, cart registration, and strict licensing could destroy the livelihoods of informal scrap-metal collectors and cart-horse operators without providing alternative transport. - _Warrantless Searches_ Section 42 strips away Section 14 constitutional privacy protections by letting municipal law enforcement enter and search private homes without judicial oversight. - _Poultry, Birds & Urban Farming_ Banning roosters, capping hens at five, and demanding formal building plans for rabbit hutches and aviaries undermines urban food security and self-sustainability. - _Cultural / Religious Slaughter_ Subjecting traditional cultural practices and religious ceremonies to municipal approval and neighbour notifications infringes on religious and cultural freedoms. [ have your say](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-animal-by-law/)