Cape Town - A Heideveld homeowner says she’s had enough of her neighbour and the foul stench caused by three pigs he keeps in his backyard.
The resident who wants to remain anonymous said that the pigs have been living on the property for over a month, insisting that their presence has caused a health hazard for the neighbourhood.
“When it is hot or windy there is a terrible smell and the pigs cause flies. I have children who can get sick because pigs do not belong in a backyard, they belong on a farm. Whenever we have visitors they ask us what is smelling then we need to explain it is not at our house, it’s the neighbour’s pigs.”
“He even has a bakkie with rotten fruit and that contributes to the smell and flies. I don’t know what is the purpose of these pigs but it is a health hazard. What is going to happen when one of the children get sick because it is bad, the moment you open the door the smell is there and it’s even worse on warm or windy days.”
Upon arrival at the owner of the pigs house in Groenberg Road, he said that he has nothing to say to the media except that he followed the City’s by-laws and got permission from them and the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa who he claims he informed them of the pigs and that he got advice and the go ahead to keep the pigs.
However, spokesperson for AWS, Allan Perrins, said that it is ‘highly unlikely’ the claims by the owner are true.
“We will alert Law Enforcement of this alleged By Law infringement and conduct an animal welfare inspection before the end of the week.
“Pigs are highly intelligent animals with very specific needs to ensure their welfare. They are gregarious and depending on breed can be dangerous and if not kept under optimal conditions may pose a health and nuisance risk to people.”
The City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said Section 5 of the Animal Keeping By-Law states that no person may keep any pigs on any residential premises.
“As for allegations that the resident was given the go ahead - he can provide the details of who the person was and it will be investigated.”
“Contraventions can be reported to Law Enforcement, by calling the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.”
marsha.dean@inl.co.za