Animals Should Be Protected, Not Politicized – Cape Town's Animal Keeping Bylaw Under Scrutiny | Dr. Peter Hammond
Loading player...
In this episode of the Get Up and Go Breakfast program on Radio Cape Pulpit, host Anton Brink speaks with Dr. Peter Hammond about the controversial animal keeping bylaw proposed by the City of Cape Town. Dr. Hammond argues that animals should be protected, not politicized, and grounds his concerns in Proverbs 12:10: "A good man is kind to his animals, but the wicked are cruel to theirs."
Dr. Hammond acknowledges that some provisions in the draft bylaw are positive – such as:
Banning glue traps and the sale of wild/exotic animals in circuses.
Strengthening protections for working animals (e.g., preventing animals from working in temperatures above 30°C).
Protecting cart animals like donkeys from being forced to pull more than twice their body weight.
However, he raises serious concerns about other provisions that seem draconian and intrusive:
The municipality can restrict how many pets you have and require dog or cat licenses/permits – and the bylaw allows them to impose fees without further public participation.
Search and seizure warrants – municipal officials can enter private property and confiscate animals.
Mandatory sterilization and microchipping.
Exemptions for the municipality's own animals (police dogs, police horses) while imposing stricter rules on the public – a double standard Dr. Hammond finds troubling.
He notes that while JP Smith (Mayco member for Safety and Security) has given assurances that the city has no intention of charging for dog permits, the wording of the bylaw still makes it possible. He warns of "administrative creep" and unintended consequences – such as fewer adoptions and more strays if people fear bureaucratic burdens.
Dr. Hammond encourages listeners to support animal welfare organizations like the SPCA, Animal Anti-Cruelty League, and Tears. He also points to King David's outrage in the Bible when a man's pet lamb was taken and killed – showing that concern for animals is not new or overly sentimental; it is biblical. He calls for the bylaw to be clarified and amended so that it truly encourages pet adoption and kindness to animals, without punishing responsible pet owners.
Dr. Hammond acknowledges that some provisions in the draft bylaw are positive – such as:
Banning glue traps and the sale of wild/exotic animals in circuses.
Strengthening protections for working animals (e.g., preventing animals from working in temperatures above 30°C).
Protecting cart animals like donkeys from being forced to pull more than twice their body weight.
However, he raises serious concerns about other provisions that seem draconian and intrusive:
The municipality can restrict how many pets you have and require dog or cat licenses/permits – and the bylaw allows them to impose fees without further public participation.
Search and seizure warrants – municipal officials can enter private property and confiscate animals.
Mandatory sterilization and microchipping.
Exemptions for the municipality's own animals (police dogs, police horses) while imposing stricter rules on the public – a double standard Dr. Hammond finds troubling.
He notes that while JP Smith (Mayco member for Safety and Security) has given assurances that the city has no intention of charging for dog permits, the wording of the bylaw still makes it possible. He warns of "administrative creep" and unintended consequences – such as fewer adoptions and more strays if people fear bureaucratic burdens.
Dr. Hammond encourages listeners to support animal welfare organizations like the SPCA, Animal Anti-Cruelty League, and Tears. He also points to King David's outrage in the Bible when a man's pet lamb was taken and killed – showing that concern for animals is not new or overly sentimental; it is biblical. He calls for the bylaw to be clarified and amended so that it truly encourages pet adoption and kindness to animals, without punishing responsible pet owners.
