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Landmark Law Unveiled by Justice for Animals Trust in Fight Against Cruelty
Namibia witnessed a momentous breakthrough in animal welfareastheJusticeforAnimalsTrustrevealedasignificant milestone in the fight against animal cruelty In a powerful announcement on Tuesday, the Trust highlighted the legal frameworkprotectingdogsfromcommercialexploitationfor theirskin,meat,oranybodyparts.
This groundbreaking discovery was the result of tireless research conducted by the Justice for Animals Trust, aimed at safeguarding the welfare of non-human beings. The revelation brought newfound hope to the causeofanimalwelfare,asitwaspreviously believed that no regulations existed under the Animals Protection Act of 1962 concerning the killing of dogsforconsumptionpurposes.
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The only notice ever issued under the AnimalsProtectionAct,datedJuly14, 1972 (RSA GN R.1246/1972 (RSA GG 3612)), unequivocally prohibits thekillingofdogsforcommercialpurposes. The law is clear: anyone who kills a dog with the intention of using its skin, meat, or any other part for commercialgainisguiltyofacriminal offense and may face a fine or imprisonmentofuptosixmonths,orboth.
The Chairman of Justice for Animals Trust expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sally from Namibia Animal Welfare Association (NAWA) for her invaluable contribution in discovering this vitalinformation.TheTrustrenewsits commitment to protecting the welfare ofanimals,especiallydogs,andstressesthatdogsarefriends,notfood.
This landmark discovery strengthens the resolve of the Trust and other animalwelfareinstitutionsintheirpursuit ofjusticeforanimals.Thehopeisthat thislegalsupportwillbolstereffortsto end animal cruelty and promote compassion towards man's non-human companions.
Inresponsetotheissueofdogslaughter for human consumption, The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Namibia and its Branches firmly oppose the practice, citingthreecorereasons:
1. Inhumane Slaughter Methods: Currentmethodsofdogslaughterinvolve cruelty, including beating, bludgeoning, and hanging of dogs to death, which are offenses under the Animal
Protection Act of 1962. The SPCA pledgestotakeactionagainstanyreportedcasesofsuchcruelty
2. Dogs as Companions: Dogs have long been valued as companion animals, possessing unique abilities to read social cues and serving in various capacities, such as service and emotionalsupportanimals.
3. Public Health Concerns: Consumption of dog meat poses public health risks, including zoonotic disease transmission like trichinellosis, cholera, and rabies. Proper meat inspection procedures at abattoirs are crucial to prevent disease transmission, and unauthorised consumptioncouldleadtoserioushealth consequences.
TheSPCAemphasisesitsdedication toassistingincasesofanimalcruelty andpromotingthehumanetreatment of animals. They encourage individualstoreportanyinhumaneslaughter or attempted acts to the nearest SPCA, as they continue to support animalwelfareacrossthecountry
The SPCA plays a vital role in rescuing and assisting animals in need throughout Namibia, housing thousandsofanimalseachyear Theyrely on donations from private individuals and corporate businesses to fundtheiressentialwork.TheSPCA of Namibia includes the Windhoek ShelterOperationsandanadditional seven branches throughout the country They are located in Grootfontein, Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz, Oshana, Otjiwarongo, Tsumeb, and Walvis Bay "We are a registered Welfare Organisation (WO6) established in 1949, here to prevent cruelty to animals and promote animal welfare in Namibia. The SPCA Namibia headquarters oversee the policy and positions on important animal welfare matters for all of the SPCAs."
