Illegal dog-fighting and animal crime prevention in South Africa: A desktop study of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA's anti-dog-fighting community outreach programme in Cape Town

Abstract

Illegal dog-fighting in South Africa is a crime that remains unchallenged within affected communities, putting both dogs and people at risk. Notwithstanding efforts to combat dogfighting in Cape Town, the practice remains largely unregulated and poorly enforced by animal welfare authorities.

To address this gap, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA (Cape SPCA) anti-dog-fighting outreach program involves the community through proactive, weekly organized campaigns targeting affected communities. This outreach program aims to train citizens whose intervention can be crucial in providing emergency first aid for dogs by recognizing, reporting, and preventing dog-fighting through various community outreach campaigns. Consequently, community members play a vital role in raising awareness and educating others about the crime of dog-fighting.

By conducting a desktop study of the Cape SPCA’s website and other relevant sources, this article highlights several key tactics the animal welfare organization has employed to combat dog-fighting in affected communities and help prevent the illegal activity from escalating. With the support of local governance, viz, the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement, the Cape SPCA works to integrate local anti-dog-fighting mechanisms to combat the illegal practice in Cape Town. This review aims to demonstrate that this community outreach programme can be proactive and effective in addressing the issue of dog fighting in the city.