A Cape of Good Hope SPCA (SPCA) operation last week saw inspectors recover 120 fish from unhygienic conditions in a swimming pool at a home in Fish Hoek.
The incident initially came to light weeks prior, when the SPCA received a cruelty complaint of a house where live fish were being kept. The SPCA said it had conducted several inspections of the premises and found the fish in “stagnant, green and heavily contaminated water” in the pool.
Formal warnings were given to address the situation, but the SPCA said no progress was made.
“Multiple formal warnings were issued; however, the conditions did not improve, adequate care was not provided, and attempts to secure voluntary compliance were unsuccessful,” read the SPCA statement.
Inspectors reported that efforts to resolve the matter cooperatively failed, encountering “resistance and a refusal to engage meaningfully”.
The SPCA then approached the Simon’s Town Magistrates Court for a warrant, authorising it to enter the property and remove the animals. The warrant in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 was granted.
“Due to ongoing non-compliance and the reasonable belief that the fish were suffering unnecessarily, the SPCA applied to the Simon’s Town Magistrates’ Court for a warrant.”
That warrant was executed on 14 January, with the assistance of the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement’s Animal Control Unit.
Inspectors confirmed that the conditions of the pool were still the same as with previous inspections, with extremely poor water quality that had limited visibility and contained large amounts of waste.
“Items recovered from the water included plastic bags, plastic materials, skateboards, brooms, dustpans, pots, and other household refuse. The swimming pool was effectively being used as a dumping site while still containing live fish.”
The SPCA said the operation was strenuous and long, having taken six and half hours to recover all the fish in the pool.
Of the fish recovered, the SPCA said “two fish were already in a compromised condition, and seven fish died shortly after arrival despite intervention”. The remaining fish are undergoing assessment and receiving treatment.
“This case serves as a reminder that all animals, including fish, are protected under animal welfare legislation and are entitled to humane treatment and proper care,” said the SPCA.
