Capetonian dog owners have been reminded to make sure their pets are registered with their local municipality by July this year, or risk having them impounded. The by-law received further attention from the City following an incident where a three-year-old boy was mauled to death by a pack of strays in Philippi last year.

The City’s Animal By-Law, which can be accessed by following this link, states the following:

Dog Registration and Licensing:

3. (1) The owner of a property where one or more dogs are kept must register the dog or dogs with the Council.

(2) Dog registration must take place within four months of the dog’s birth or within 30 days of acquiring a dog on property within Council’s jurisdictional boundaries.

(3) The Council may levy a dog license fee in respect of a property where one or more dogs are kept.

(4) The amount of the dog license fee may be determined in terms of a resolution of Council. A reduced dog license fee may apply for sterilized dogs.

Spokesperson, Neil Arendse, said all registered dogs would be fitted with ID collars:

Dogs without these collars, as per the by-law, will be impounded as per the normal routine of the city.

Animals owners as of middle of this year need to register their animals in accordance with the animal by-law of 2010, which will also have the owners ensure that the dogs have their collars on.

He continued that it was up to dog owners to take more responsibility for their pets.

According to the City’s Animal Control Unit, more than 1 200 stray dogs have been rounded up in the past seven months alone.

2oceansVibe made enquiries with the City of Cape Town to find out more about the registration procedures, and owners have been encouraged to visit their local municipal office in order to pay the license fee.

[Sources: CityofCapeTown, EWN]