Inspector Alfred went to investigate a report that a German Shepherd was being kept in a parrot’s cage in a third-storey flat in Point Road, but was refused entry. He phoned Jacqui for back-up. When Jacqui arrived, the dog was running around in the flat, but its ‘home’ was indeed a large parrot’s cage.
Its owner was completely unmoved by Jacqui’s arrival, “Nothing is going to change,” he insisted aggressively. “I am not cruel to dogs. I paid R4 000 for this dog which was imported from Germany.”

Jacqui pointed out that she had a job to do. His response was that the dog would be in the flat until the end of the month. He objected to Jacqui’s camera, but she managed to take two photographs. He told her to get out and pushed her twice, slamming her hand against the burglar bars. Jacqui sent Alfred away, since she felt the man would feel less threatened if she were on her own, so Alfred reluctantly departed.    
Jacqui asked the police assist her, and two policemen arrived from Point Road. She pointed out that she was an inspector of the SPCA and was doing no more than her job.

When they left, their farewell to the dog owner was “Cheers for now, pal! See you later!”, which appeared to confirm Jacqui’s impression that the dog owner was or had been a policeman.

She pointed out that the dog must go into boarding kennels until it was able to go to  a more appropriate home. His response was: “I will do what I want!”

Jacqui noted that there were food and water bowls in the parrot cage. The door was open, and the dog jumped in of its own accord and went to sleep! The owner said he left the cage door open all day so that the dog could run around if it wished to do so. ... more reports »