Two suspects were arrested and charged after an SPCA inspector was assaulted during a court-sanctioned animal rescue operation in Strand, Cape Town after a routine welfare inspection escalated into a violent confrontation last week.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA said the incident took place on October 16 when Inspector Lwazi Ntungele and members of the Strand SAPS executed a warrant to remove four dogs from a property where they were allegedly kept in severe neglect.

The warrant comes after they received a complaint about a dog suffering from a serious skin condition.

When the inspector first visited the property, the owner refused entry, shouted at him, and denied any wrongdoing. From outside the property, Ntungele observed animals in visible distress and sought legal authorisation to intervene.

When the SPCA and police returned with the warrant, the situation quickly escalated.

According to the SPCA, the owner remained aggressive, and her husband physically confronted the inspector as he attempted to remove the animals.

Ntungele was punched in the face during the altercation. SAPS officers intervened and arrested both the man and the woman after they allegedly resisted arrest. They were taken to the Strand Police Station.

The suspects are expected to face charges of animal cruelty, obstruction of an authorised SPCA inspector and assault.

Despite the attack, the inspector completed the operation, and all four dogs were removed from the property.

A veterinary examination found that two of the dogs were suffering from advanced demodectic mange, a painful skin condition that had gone untreated for an extended period. The veterinarian concluded that their condition amounted to prolonged and preventable suffering.

Due to the severity of their injuries, the two most severely affected dogs were humanely euthanised. The other two remain in SPCA care and are receiving treatment.

Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said the incident highlights the risks faced by inspectors when responding to animal cruelty cases.

“What happened to our inspector in Strand was an attack on compassionate self. He was there to help, he was there to rescue animals that have been suffering for far too long and he was punched in the face for doing his job. That should disturb every single on of us. Our inspectors face this kind of danger far too often but they will never walk away,” said Abraham. 

The organisation has thanked SAPS for its response and confirmed that it will pursue the matter in court.

IOL

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