Johannesburg - The National Council of the SPCA (NCSPCA) distanced itself on Monday from a letter allegedly used to remove a dog from its owner's property.
The NCSCPA said the letter was fraudulent, scurrilous and neither coming from, nor associated with, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Christine Kuch of the NCSPCA said the document was headed "SPCA" and hand delivered to an address in the Western Cape.
Its contents read: "It is illegal to keep an animal unattended on a property... a fine of R200 000.00 to R300 000.00 or a 12-month jail sentence. The animal has been removed after close inspection of the property."
It was signed with an illegible signature, beneath which was written "Field Inspector, W-Cape".
Kuch said no such position existed.
The NCSPCA had advised the person whose dog was taken that charges of theft should be laid. Charges of fraud also could be laid as could charges relating to the SPCA Act.
Kuch said: "The SPCA name has been used falsely, deceitfully, dishonestly and, therefore, illegally. This issue is being taken with extreme seriousness."
Kuch said the document was badly written and revealed ignorance of the law, its procedures and penalties.
"We urgently seek information as to who this person is. This is beyond unacceptable, it is downright fraud. We remain concerned about the animal, who has taken it and where," said Kuch
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