Cape Town - In recent months, Noordhoek Beach and its nearby wetlands have witnessed a concerning rise in dog attacks, especially involving horses.
This has raised alarms among residents and the equestrian community.
The stunning scenery and spacious environment that once attracted both dog owners and horse riders are now marred by safety concerns for both groups.
The Noordhoek Riding Club (NRC) has expressed worry over the growing number of incidents, emphasising that these attacks not only threaten the safety of horses and riders, but also put the dogs at risk, as they may be acting on instinct or lack proper training.
In a letter to the community, the NRC committee highlighted the importance of the shared open spaces at the wetlands and beach, stressing that the safety of all is a top priority.
“While we understand that the Noordhoek Beach and wetlands are a popular destination for dog walkers, we kindly request that measures be put in place to prevent further incidents.
“We ask if you could please keep dogs on leashes when walking them in areas that are frequented by horses.
“We also ask that if your dog notoriously chases horses, you stay very clear of horse areas in general,” the statement advised.
Belinda Abraham, from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, said that they have not received reports of dog attacks on horses, suggesting this might be more of a by-law issue rather than a case of cruelty.
“I'm not sure if the area referred to is an on/off-leash area for dogs. It might be better to get a response from the City for this one,” Abraham said.
Meanwhile, Wayne Dyason, a spokesperson for the City's Law Enforcement, stated that they are not aware of any such incidents occurring in the Noordhoek Beach and wetlands area.
He said that officers have observed an increase in non-compliance with regulations, particularly on the beaches, leading to fines for dog owners.
“Generally speaking, a person who keeps any animal must ensure that it is kept under proper and effective control when it leaves the premises where it is kept and that it does not endanger any person, animal or property when it leaves the premises,” Dyason said.
“Failure to do so can lead to a fine of up to R5 000 and/or impoundment of the dog, if a court orders it.”
The Weekend Argus contacted the Noordhoek Ratepayers Association for a comment, but they had not replied by the time of publication.
Additionally, the NRC committee urged the community to collaborate in maintaining the safety and well-being of “all who enjoy the lovely Noordhoek area”.
The public are also encouraged to report any incidents to the Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700 or 107 from a landline, so the Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit can take appropriate action under the Animal Keeping By-law.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za
Weekend Argus