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Pet laws, by-laws and microchips in South Africa

Know your municipality's rules, keep your dog under control, and make sure your pet can be identified. Most disputes with neighbours, and most lost pets that are never found, come down to these three.

This guide explains the law in general terms only. It is not legal advice.

Municipal by-laws

Each municipality makes its own by-laws about keeping animals, so read yours on the municipality's website or ask at a municipal office. Many by-laws:

• limit the number of dogs and cats on a property without a permit;
• require dogs to be kept within the property and not to roam;
• require dogs to be on a lead in public places, except in marked off-lead areas;
• require owners to clean up after their dogs;
• deal with barking, smells and other nuisance;
• allow strays to be impounded, with a fee to get them back.

In a complex or a rented home, the conduct rules and the lease add their own rules.

Dogs in public

• Keep your dog on a lead in streets and parks, unless the area is marked as off-lead. Even a friendly dog can frighten children or start a fight.
• Carry bags and pick up after your dog. Droppings carry worms that can infect children.
• Do not let your dog greet other dogs without asking their owners.
• Let it off the lead only where that is allowed, and only if it comes reliably when called.

If your dog bites or injures someone, you may be responsible. Make sure the person gets medical help, give your details, and find the date of the dog's last rabies vaccination.

Barking and the neighbours

Barking is the most common complaint. Most of it comes from a bored, lonely or frightened dog, and it can be fixed.

1. Listen, and ask when it happens.
2. Find out for yourself. Ask another neighbour, or record a video while you are out.
3. Fix the cause: more exercise, company, a blocked view of the street, or a safe space indoors at night.
4. Tell the neighbour what you are doing.

If you are the one disturbed, speak to the owner calmly first. Many owners do not know, because the dog barks when they are away.

A collar and tag

A tag with your cellphone number lets anyone who finds your pet phone you at once. Two numbers are better than one.

• For dogs, use a flat collar that fits with two fingers underneath.
• For cats, use a breakaway collar, which opens if it catches on something.

A microchip

A microchip is a tiny chip placed under the skin between the shoulder blades by a vet or welfare clinic. Vets, welfare organisations and pounds scan every stray they take in.

• A chip is only useful if its number is registered with a microchip registry, under your current name and phone numbers.
• Update the details whenever you move or change your number. Many lost pets have chips with old numbers.
• Ask your vet to scan the chip at each yearly visit.
• If you adopted your pet, ask whether the chip is registered in your name.

The Animals Protection Act

In general terms, it is an offence to:

• cause an animal unnecessary suffering;
• fail to give an animal enough food, water and shelter;
• keep an animal chained or confined in a way that causes suffering;
• fail to get veterinary care for an animal that is ill or injured;
• abandon an animal;
• use animals for fighting.

Courts can fine or imprison offenders and can ban them from keeping animals.

Reporting cruelty

1. Do not put yourself in danger or confront someone who may be violent.
2. Note what you saw, when and where, and take photographs from a safe place if you can.
3. Report it to your local animal welfare organisation's inspectors or to the police.

This guide is based on Chapter 9 of Your Dog or Cat in South Africa.