It seems that Betty’s Bay has two serious issues that are emerging, one concerning the use of weapons against wildlife and the second the danger posed by aggressive dogs against both people, their pets and our wildlife.
It is a complete misconception that pellet guns are not lethal. If the pellet does not kill an animal (even one as big as a baboon) or a bird outright, then it is very likely to cause a slow, lingering death if it punctures one of the major organs. Our baboons, and those on the peninsula, are usually x-rayed after being euthanased or killed at the vets and are frequently found to have multiple pellets inside them. People are shooting at them.
If you witness a neighbour or anyone else shooting at baboons or other wildlife, please come forward (anonymously, if preferred) and report the incident to our SAPS in Kleinmond and our Law Enforcement agency in Hermanus. [See contact details at the bottom.]
With regard to dogs, there was another tragic case of a Pitbull-like dog attacking an adult male baboon of the Silversands troop on Friday 11 March this year. The baboon was euthanased as a result of the severe injuries it suffered. The dog owner, although standing over the dog at the time of the mauling, had no control of the dog and was unable to handle it. We are being inundated with calls, being told of people who have been bitten, their pet dogs attacked – often on the beaches – or wildlife hunted by a multitude of dogs right here in Betty’s Bay.
We therefore request that all such incidents, when witnessed, are reported – with details and photos, if possible – to our SAPS in Kleinmond and our Law Enforcement agency in Hermanus to achieve our personal safety, that of our pets and our wildlife.
Kleinmond Police Station: 028 271 8200
Law Enforcement: 028 271 8400 or 028 313 8996