Pet Shop I
12 July 1992
[Includes disturbing footage]
For the past few weeks Carte Blanche received complaints about puppies from a particular Pet Shop dying soon after they were bought. The events were substantiated by a number of local vets. It had been suggested that parvo virus, a highly contagious gastric disease may have been the cause. Carte Blanche investigated.
Producer: Clive Morris
Presenter: Derek Watts
Pet Shop II
26 July 1992
[Includes disturbing footage]
The shocking conditions found a the dog breeder covered two weeks ago prompted the SPCA to remove many of the dogs and take them to their own kennels. Unfortunately one of the dogs had to be put down, but as for the other, they have found themselves in a new, clean, and sunny home. Carte Blanche brings you the update.
Producer: Clive Morris
Presenter: Derek Watts
PET SHOP I & II UPDATE
After this story in 1992, and numerous exposés on animal welfare, South African law has changed. The Animal Protection Act has been amended to ensure that if any animal is abused, neglected or mistreated, it is a criminal offence. This includes failure to seek medical treatment for sick animals.
The NSPCA's public relations manager Meg Wilson says the organisation has continued to promote pet adoptions over purchases, but always encourages people who do buy animals to ensure that they have done their homework on the breeder and the seller.
Wilson says buyers have an obligation "to know exactly where the animals are coming from, to visit the premises and see the conditions that the parents are being kept in and to ensure that their animals have been vaccinated accordingly. This may often not be an option when buying from pet shops or traders as the pet shop is often not the breeder but just the ‘middle man’."
Sandré Pets in Cresta shopping centre closed, and the owner has passed away. Carte Blanche made several attempts to ascertain what happened to the case against Jan Venter, the breeder in Koster, but neither the NPA, Rustenburg Magistrates Court or SPCA had records dating back to 1992.