Pet bylaws
From "Comment on the Draft Animal Keeping By-Law"
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Firstly, I notice that your bylaw will give officials the right to enter private property without a warrant to seize animals.
You realize that this is once again DA stomping all over Section 14 of the Constitution which guarantees every citizen of South Africa the right to privacy and protection from warrantless access and searches.
This makes me think back to the tragedy of Peanut the Squirrel and the Stazi squad who broke into his rescuers apartment, hunted him down and killed him, leaving his owner - and the thousands of Instagram followers traumatized.
Without the courts approval, who will be the ones determining what is lawful and unlawful? Who is going to be there to protect the owners and their pets when one of your officials decide to take the law into their own hands at the detriment of animal and owner? Who is going to be the one to determine whether the report from the neighbour is not just a rant from an angry Karen or a jealous ex?
Your Draconian laws will also deter those of us who want to open our homes to foster and adopt shelter animals - of whom there are hundreds of thousands roaming the streets in the townships.
DA, think very carefully about this one, because now you are targetting members of our family.