Africa-Press – South-Africa. The SPCA has lambasted an unqualified veterinarian who allegedly performed a botched castration on Howard, an 11-month-old cat, in Ndabeni just over a week ago.
Howard was neutered by an individual posing as a veterinarian, who performed the procedure on the dining room table of the cat’s owner.
According to SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham, the cat’s owner said Howard was sedated but “was flinching throughout the entire procedure”.
“If this is accurate, the cat was not sufficiently sedated throughout the procedure. The owner also explained that she noticed excessive cutting to her cat’s scrotum and significant force to expose the testes,” said Abraham.
The SPCA said that Howard began bleeding profusely about three hours after the procedure.
He was rushed to a private veterinary practice in Rondebosch, where he was stabilised overnight before being transferred to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA).
Abraham said:
Howard was dehydrated and had suffered significant blood loss.
He was in terrible pain, the scrotal area had been poorly shaven, and bruising was apparent, suggesting he had been mishandled during the castration, Abraham said.
“The surgical site must be properly shaven because any hairs left behind pose an infection risk post-surgery,” she said.
Abraham added that Howard had endured unnecessary pain and suffering brought about by “a very poor standard of surgery and could have died as a result”.
The SPCA has since laid a complaint with the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) as well as the Maitland police station.
Western Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said police were investigating a case of animal cruelty.
The SPCA said a 37-year-old man appeared on Monday in court, where bail was denied.
“He will remain behind bars until his next court appearance next Monday,” Abraham said.
The National Prosecuting Authority did not respond at the time of publication.
The SPCA said Howard was lucky to be alive.
“We are saddened that a procedure which we strongly advocate for in terms of humane pet population control and the prevention of cruelty that arises from either an overabundance of animals or unwanted litters of puppies and kittens has resulted in an act of cruelty at the hands of an unqualified individual,” said Abraham.
She added that the bogus vet had charged the cat owner R800 for the procedure.
Abraham said:
SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said SAVC was conducting further investigations into the unethical conduct.
“The investigation into this case is critical in ensuring that the responsible party is held liable under the law and that justice is served for Howard, who was subjected to cruel and unlawful treatment,” said Pieterse.
Howard has since returned home to his owners, where he is recovering. His owners declined to speak to the media.
The SPCA has cautioned pet owners to be on the lookout for bogus individuals posing as veterinarians.
“Rather, contact the SPCA and enquire about our services which will be done at welfare rates to qualifying individuals,” Belinda said.
In 2021 the City of Cape Town gazetted the Animal Keeping By-law, which stipulates that dogs and cats six months and older must be sterilised unless the owner obtains a permit from the City.
The by-law states that “keeping, breeding, or selling any animal within the scope of business or economic activities” requires authorisation from the City.
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