Animal cruelty is not only wrong; it is against the law in this country. Animal abuse can also be part of a pattern of other violent acts within families and society. Abuse of any kind should be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately.

What Is Considered Animal Cruelty?

- chaining of dogs
- not giving animals water to drink and proper food to eat
- not giving animals shelter from the weather
- leaving an animal to suffer if it is injured or sick
- dog fighting
- shooting pellets at animals and birds
- abandonment of animals with no one to care for them
- hitting or kicking an animal
- keeping animals in unsanitary conditions

AWS PE responds to cruelty complaints within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. If you suspect an animal is being abused or neglected, please report it to our manager and we will assist.

Read this carefully before lodging a complaint with AWS PE:

We are empowered by the Magistrates of Port Elizabeth to enforce the Animal Protection Act to deal with cruelty to animals, i.e. abandoned animals (not strays). If you suspect animal cruelty please report it to AWS PE.

The following information will assist our inspectors to attend to the report:
- name, address and contact details of the person involved
- date, time and place of offense
- photographic proof
Please also supply your contact details so that our inspector can verify any details.

We prefer that you email all the information on hand to inspectors@awspe.co.za but you may also report a possible abuse/neglect situation via our office on 041 366 1660. You can remain anonymous when you call – you don’t have to give your name if you are afraid – but even if you do, your details are confidential.

We are NOT empowered to enforce the Municipal Bylaws, i.e. dogs in the street attacking people or causing a nuisance or ripping up garbage bags, too many dogs on a property, unspayed females and stray dogs. For any of these issues, contact the Municipal Dog Division on 041 596 174 or email dogcntrl@mandelametro.gov.za.

Barking dogs are a noise complaint and are dealt with by NMBM or the police. For the removal of dead bodies, please contact the Municipal Waste Department on 041 373 7867.