MP
Mich P
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2019
01 Feb 2025, 09:14
Complaint against Tshwane SPCA
I volunteered at the SPCA on Saturday, January 25th, and witnessed a heartbreaking case of neglect. A man arrived with his dog, who was clearly emaciated, covered in wounds, and in desperate need of medical attention. Despite raising concerns, the staff allowed the man to take the dog through to the dipping station alone. The dog was visibly distressed, thrashing in the water. When he came out, it was clear he was severely malnourished and weak. Shockingly, the owner even kicked the dog to make him eat, yet no staff intervened. I insisted that the dog be given food and water, but he was so weak he could barely eat.
The man was then allowed to leave the premises. Afterward, I followed him out and reasoned with him, explaining that his dog needed medical care. Since he couldn’t afford veterinary care privately, he willingly gave me permission to take the dog back into the SPCA so he could receive help. However, there were no vets on site, and the staff still did nothing. When I followed up with the manager, he initially dismissed my concerns and claimed nothing was wrong. Yet by Monday, the dog had collapsed, and they finally acknowledged he was critically ill. He was ultimately euthanized due to starvation and ingesting the dip solution—something that could have been prevented if action had been taken sooner.
I am deeply concerned about the conditions at this particular SPCA branch. Due to financial issues, they have no water available, and they are forced to use water from fire hydrants in bins to fill up the water bowls in the kennels. The kennels are a disgrace, and the overall care of the animals is being severely compromised. If not for the regular volunteers, I don’t know how the animals would survive. Somebody needs to intervene, and it is absolutely imminent that the NSPCA take control of this branch again. The animals there deserve better.
#AnimalWelfare #EndAnimalCruelty #SPCAAccountability
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Replies (4)MP
Mich P's updateReviewer Update
01 Feb 2025, 15:26TSHWANE SPCA WALTLOO BRANCH
MP
Mich P's update01 Feb 2025, 15:26
Reviewer Update
TSHWANE SPCA WALTLOO BRANCH
SPCA's replyOfficial
03 Feb 2025, 08:29We at the National Council of SPCAs will forward your complaint to the Tshwane SPCA asking for a response. Their response shall be posted within 7 days. Kind regards Society Liaison Unit National Council of SPCAs
SPCA's reply03 Feb 2025, 08:29
Official
We at the National Council of SPCAs will forward your complaint to the Tshwane SPCA asking for a response. Their response shall be posted within 7 days. Kind regards Society Liaison Unit National Council of SPCAs
SPCA's replyOfficial
17 Feb 2025, 12:11Please see the Tshwane SPCAs response below:
On 25 January 2025 at approximately 14:00, during my routine walkthrough of the kennels, I noticed a dog in the exercise run that I did not recognize. I inquired with the staff on standby duty who informed me that the dog had been brought in by volunteers who took the dog from a unidentified gentleman who was there to dip the dog. No paperwork was completed they informed him that the owner is on his way back to complete a form but he never came. The dog was in poor condition—very thin, with fly bites and a heavy tick infestation. We immediately moved him to the hospital kennels . Upon examination, we found no significant clinical issues apart from malnutrition and parasites. He was provided with food, which he ate well, and he remained stable through Sunday morning, appearing to be in fair condition. On Monday morning, however, the hospital staff reported that the dog had a ****** diarrhoea. A clinical assistant performed a blood smear but nothing was found. Given his worsening condition and the lack of an owner coming forward, a decision was made to humanely euthanize him. Kind regards Jeanine Niemann-Greatorex Events and Director
On 25 January 2025 at approximately 14:00, during my routine walkthrough of the kennels, I noticed a dog in the exercise run that I did not recognize. I inquired with the staff on standby duty who informed me that the dog had been brought in by volunteers who took the dog from a unidentified gentleman who was there to dip the dog. No paperwork was completed they informed him that the owner is on his way back to complete a form but he never came. The dog was in poor condition—very thin, with fly bites and a heavy tick infestation. We immediately moved him to the hospital kennels . Upon examination, we found no significant clinical issues apart from malnutrition and parasites. He was provided with food, which he ate well, and he remained stable through Sunday morning, appearing to be in fair condition. On Monday morning, however, the hospital staff reported that the dog had a ****** diarrhoea. A clinical assistant performed a blood smear but nothing was found. Given his worsening condition and the lack of an owner coming forward, a decision was made to humanely euthanize him. Kind regards Jeanine Niemann-Greatorex Events and Director
SPCA's reply17 Feb 2025, 12:11
Official
Please see the Tshwane SPCAs response below:
On 25 January 2025 at approximately 14:00, during my routine walkthrough of the kennels, I noticed a dog in the exercise run that I did not recognize. I inquired with the staff on standby duty who informed me that the dog had been brought in by volunteers who took the dog from a unidentified gentleman who was there to dip the dog. No paperwork was completed they informed him that the owner is on his way back to complete a form but he never came. The dog was in poor condition—very thin, with fly bites and a heavy tick infestation. We immediately moved him to the hospital kennels . Upon examination, we found no significant clinical issues apart from malnutrition and parasites. He was provided with food, which he ate well, and he remained stable through Sunday morning, appearing to be in fair condition. On Monday morning, however, the hospital staff reported that the dog had a ****** diarrhoea. A clinical assistant performed a blood smear but nothing was found. Given his worsening condition and the lack of an owner coming forward, a decision was made to humanely euthanize him. Kind regards Jeanine Niemann-Greatorex Events and Director
On 25 January 2025 at approximately 14:00, during my routine walkthrough of the kennels, I noticed a dog in the exercise run that I did not recognize. I inquired with the staff on standby duty who informed me that the dog had been brought in by volunteers who took the dog from a unidentified gentleman who was there to dip the dog. No paperwork was completed they informed him that the owner is on his way back to complete a form but he never came. The dog was in poor condition—very thin, with fly bites and a heavy tick infestation. We immediately moved him to the hospital kennels . Upon examination, we found no significant clinical issues apart from malnutrition and parasites. He was provided with food, which he ate well, and he remained stable through Sunday morning, appearing to be in fair condition. On Monday morning, however, the hospital staff reported that the dog had a ****** diarrhoea. A clinical assistant performed a blood smear but nothing was found. Given his worsening condition and the lack of an owner coming forward, a decision was made to humanely euthanize him. Kind regards Jeanine Niemann-Greatorex Events and Director
MP
Mich P's updateReviewer Update
17 Feb 2025, 22:42I appreciate your response., but I must clarify a few critical points regarding the treatment of the dog in question as this cannot just simply be swept under the carpet!! Firstly, i did volunteer that particular day but i must make it clear that i am a member of the public and not a volunteer but had to get involved in order to help an animal in distress which should have been handled by members of the SPCA which were on duty at the time!!
1. The dog's condition was ignored - The dog was visibly sick when it arrived with its owner. Despite my concerns and photographic evidence, no proper medical attention was given. The kennel manager was not informed immediately by the kennel staff, which should have been protocol. Instead, the owner was inexplicably allowed to dip his own animal in a chemical solution, which only worsened the poor animal's condition. I insisted we put solution on his bleeding ears and give the dog food and water as he was clearly in pain and staving.
2. The kennel manager was informed by me. I personally sent voice messages and photographs of the dog to the kennel manager; I also called him a couple of times to ensure i got hold of him, so he was aware of the situation. The manager confirmed he received these messages. meaning the SPCA was fully aware of the dog's poor condition.
3. abuse was witnessed and ignored - The owner of the dog was seen kicking his own dog in an attempt to force it to eat. This act of abuse was clearly visible to both the kennel staff the volunteers and me at the SPCA that day, yet no action was taken to intervene or protect the animal until I stepped in to protect the dog and reason with the owner as the dog clearly needed medical attention urgently!!
4. Negligence led to the dog's death - By Monday, the dog health had deteriorated to the point of collapse - not simply because the owner failed to come back, but because it was severely emaciated, had ingested the dip solution as the owner was allowed to dip his own dog without adequate knowledge and now he was beyond saving, the dog was already dying due to neglect while in SPCA's care!!
It is deeply concerning that an organization meant to protect animals allowed this to happen. Proper procedures were not followed, and this dog suffered unnecessarily as a result. I urge the SPCA to take accountability and ensure that protocols are improve the members of staff are dealt with correctly and improved to prevent similar incidents in the future. I would like to know what measures have been enforced to deal with this and i urge the NSPCA to follow up!
1. The dog's condition was ignored - The dog was visibly sick when it arrived with its owner. Despite my concerns and photographic evidence, no proper medical attention was given. The kennel manager was not informed immediately by the kennel staff, which should have been protocol. Instead, the owner was inexplicably allowed to dip his own animal in a chemical solution, which only worsened the poor animal's condition. I insisted we put solution on his bleeding ears and give the dog food and water as he was clearly in pain and staving.
2. The kennel manager was informed by me. I personally sent voice messages and photographs of the dog to the kennel manager; I also called him a couple of times to ensure i got hold of him, so he was aware of the situation. The manager confirmed he received these messages. meaning the SPCA was fully aware of the dog's poor condition.
3. abuse was witnessed and ignored - The owner of the dog was seen kicking his own dog in an attempt to force it to eat. This act of abuse was clearly visible to both the kennel staff the volunteers and me at the SPCA that day, yet no action was taken to intervene or protect the animal until I stepped in to protect the dog and reason with the owner as the dog clearly needed medical attention urgently!!
4. Negligence led to the dog's death - By Monday, the dog health had deteriorated to the point of collapse - not simply because the owner failed to come back, but because it was severely emaciated, had ingested the dip solution as the owner was allowed to dip his own dog without adequate knowledge and now he was beyond saving, the dog was already dying due to neglect while in SPCA's care!!
It is deeply concerning that an organization meant to protect animals allowed this to happen. Proper procedures were not followed, and this dog suffered unnecessarily as a result. I urge the SPCA to take accountability and ensure that protocols are improve the members of staff are dealt with correctly and improved to prevent similar incidents in the future. I would like to know what measures have been enforced to deal with this and i urge the NSPCA to follow up!
MP
Mich P's update17 Feb 2025, 22:42
Reviewer Update
I appreciate your response., but I must clarify a few critical points regarding the treatment of the dog in question as this cannot just simply be swept under the carpet!! Firstly, i did volunteer that particular day but i must make it clear that i am a member of the public and not a volunteer but had to get involved in order to help an animal in distress which should have been handled by members of the SPCA which were on duty at the time!!
1. The dog's condition was ignored - The dog was visibly sick when it arrived with its owner. Despite my concerns and photographic evidence, no proper medical attention was given. The kennel manager was not informed immediately by the kennel staff, which should have been protocol. Instead, the owner was inexplicably allowed to dip his own animal in a chemical solution, which only worsened the poor animal's condition. I insisted we put solution on his bleeding ears and give the dog food and water as he was clearly in pain and staving.
2. The kennel manager was informed by me. I personally sent voice messages and photographs of the dog to the kennel manager; I also called him a couple of times to ensure i got hold of him, so he was aware of the situation. The manager confirmed he received these messages. meaning the SPCA was fully aware of the dog's poor condition.
3. abuse was witnessed and ignored - The owner of the dog was seen kicking his own dog in an attempt to force it to eat. This act of abuse was clearly visible to both the kennel staff the volunteers and me at the SPCA that day, yet no action was taken to intervene or protect the animal until I stepped in to protect the dog and reason with the owner as the dog clearly needed medical attention urgently!!
4. Negligence led to the dog's death - By Monday, the dog health had deteriorated to the point of collapse - not simply because the owner failed to come back, but because it was severely emaciated, had ingested the dip solution as the owner was allowed to dip his own dog without adequate knowledge and now he was beyond saving, the dog was already dying due to neglect while in SPCA's care!!
It is deeply concerning that an organization meant to protect animals allowed this to happen. Proper procedures were not followed, and this dog suffered unnecessarily as a result. I urge the SPCA to take accountability and ensure that protocols are improve the members of staff are dealt with correctly and improved to prevent similar incidents in the future. I would like to know what measures have been enforced to deal with this and i urge the NSPCA to follow up!
1. The dog's condition was ignored - The dog was visibly sick when it arrived with its owner. Despite my concerns and photographic evidence, no proper medical attention was given. The kennel manager was not informed immediately by the kennel staff, which should have been protocol. Instead, the owner was inexplicably allowed to dip his own animal in a chemical solution, which only worsened the poor animal's condition. I insisted we put solution on his bleeding ears and give the dog food and water as he was clearly in pain and staving.
2. The kennel manager was informed by me. I personally sent voice messages and photographs of the dog to the kennel manager; I also called him a couple of times to ensure i got hold of him, so he was aware of the situation. The manager confirmed he received these messages. meaning the SPCA was fully aware of the dog's poor condition.
3. abuse was witnessed and ignored - The owner of the dog was seen kicking his own dog in an attempt to force it to eat. This act of abuse was clearly visible to both the kennel staff the volunteers and me at the SPCA that day, yet no action was taken to intervene or protect the animal until I stepped in to protect the dog and reason with the owner as the dog clearly needed medical attention urgently!!
4. Negligence led to the dog's death - By Monday, the dog health had deteriorated to the point of collapse - not simply because the owner failed to come back, but because it was severely emaciated, had ingested the dip solution as the owner was allowed to dip his own dog without adequate knowledge and now he was beyond saving, the dog was already dying due to neglect while in SPCA's care!!
It is deeply concerning that an organization meant to protect animals allowed this to happen. Proper procedures were not followed, and this dog suffered unnecessarily as a result. I urge the SPCA to take accountability and ensure that protocols are improve the members of staff are dealt with correctly and improved to prevent similar incidents in the future. I would like to know what measures have been enforced to deal with this and i urge the NSPCA to follow up!