# summary

- Link: https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-pets/summary/
- Published: 2021-04-29T12:24:57+02:00
- Author: dearSA

[ Have your say on the Draft Animal Keeping Policy](https://dearsouthafrica.co.za/coct-pets/)

The City of Cape Town has asked for public comment on its Animal Keeping Policy,
which includes updated regulations around pet ownership.

First introduced in 2005, the policy relates to:

 * The principles of animal welfare;
 * Responsibilities of pet owners and the public at large;
 * Complaints relating to animals;
 * Partnerships between the city and pet owners;
 * Animal keepers; and
 * The animal welfare sector, among others.

Some of the key changes proposals included in the draft document are outlined in
more detail below.

**Animal care**

The city has outlined a basic duty of care which animal owners will need to follow.
This includes:

 * All animals must have sufficient accommodation, food, water and shelter as per
   the animal keeping by-law and other relevant legislation as determined by the
   authorised official who may consult with animal welfare inspectors.
 * Any form of animal cruelty, which includes but is not limited, animal-fighting,
   neglect, frightening an animal, torture or violence towards an animal and neglect
   of animals must be prohibited.
 * An important aspect of developing an environment that is conducive to animal 
   care is the provision of public spaces where animals can be exercised, such as
   free run public spaces for dogs and public spaces where horses are permitted 
   to be ridden. These public spaces should be clearly sign posted and must form
   part of the urban landscape.
 * The locations of these public spaces should be communicated on a regular basis
   via the city’s communication channels to the public.
 * Dogs are otherwise required to be on leashes or under the control of owners, 
   who are 18 years and above, in public places to avoid causing nuisance or danger
   to other residents.

**Registration**

The city said that pet registration is important as it enables it to monitor animal
populations and gather important data to improve animal-related interventions, and
make sure that inspections can be carried out to ensure the responsible keeping 
of animals.

It also enables the city to reunite owners and lost pets, or assist when pets have
been stolen.

For this reason, the owners of certain pets are required by the city’s by-law to
register their pets. This will be qualified in the city’s bylaw relating to the 
keeping of animals and subsequent administrative instruments such as standard operating
procedures.

The permitting of small and large animals including dogs, cats and horses is compulsory
and the city will determine the format and process of registration.

Registration may be done online via the city’s website, or by submitting a registration
form to a city office or as a part of a registration drive which is run by the city
from time to time.

**Noise and nuisance**

While the city does have a responsibility to attend to matters of noise and nuisance,
the draft document states that ‘neighbourly living’ can first be applied in cases
that are not severe.

In this context, neighbourly living means attempting to resolve issues between residents
amicably and through conversation or some form of mediation. It seeks to promote
harmonious living environments.

Approaching noise and nuisance complaints from a neighbourly living perspective 
entails the following:

 * Noise from barking dogs is a common complaint and may be approached from the 
   perspective of neighbourly living.
 * In the case of a noise or nuisance complaint regarding an animal, the affected
   neighbour may approach their pet owner neighbour to resolve the matter as an 
   alternative to enforcement related resolution.
 * If this does not work, the complainant may also approach the street committee,
   neighbourhood watch or a body corporate.
 * Alternative resolution of the complaint through neighbourly living (communication
   and or mediation) is preferred. However, the complainant is not precluded from
   approaching the City for direct enforcement intervention.
    In cases where neighbourly
   living attempts have failed and a complaint has been lodged with the City, an
   authorised official may investigate the nuisance situation and severity of nuisance
   caused.

In cases where neglect or cruelty is suspected, the city said that an authorised
official may issue a written compliance notice, fine, Section 54 summons or impound
the animal.

It added that the level of care exercised by the owner for the animal will be assessed
by the following evaluation:

 * Whether an accommodation is appropriate for the animal;
 * If there is enough room for the animal to move around comfortably;
 * The quality of water and food offered to the animal is not rancid;
 * That the owner provides required daily care for the animal.

If it is found that the owner is not providing adequately for the animal, the owner
may be prosecuted, and the animal may be removed for its own protection.

Once care aspects have been assessed and the authorised official is satisfied that
the animal is being cared for, this issue of nuisance is then dealt with.

**Dangerous animals**

Owners of animals or pets that have been declared dangerous by authorised officials
or have a history of injuring or attacking other people and animals, should take
all reasonable precautions and comply with any conditions set out in compliance 
notices

If a cat is known to scratch, bite, injure or attack a person, the cat should not
be allowed to roam free outside the premises where they are being kept, or roam 
onto other properties.

Dogs that have been:

 * Declared dangerous;
 * Have a history of biting or attacking people or other animals;
 * Have previously been the subject of complaints relating to biting or attacking;
 * Where previous compliance notices or fines were issued.

Should also not be allowed to roam freely in public or onto other private premises,
even if they are humanely muzzled.

### DOWNLOAD DOCUMENTS

 ⌊Loader⌉ Loading...

 ⌊EAD Logo⌉ Taking too long?

 ⌊Reload⌉ Reload document

 | [ ⌊Open⌉ Open in new tab ](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/20190707/Animal-keeping-policy.pdf)

[Download [605.04 KB] ](https://cdn.dearsouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/20190707/Animal-keeping-policy.pdf)

### IN THE MEDIA

 * Businesstech – [Cape Town proposes new rule for pets – what you should know](https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/486101/cape-town-proposes-new-rule-for-pets-what-you-should-know/)