SPCA explains nutrition needs after skinny dog's fast food 'treat'
Hendrick Makuya, from a village near Thohoyandou who shares clips seeking to portray 'a soft life', posted a video of himself giving his dog Bobby pieces of KFC, with bones, for 'a birthday gift'.
The footage quickly spread on social media and drew criticism from animal lovers who said the dog appeared underweight.
According to Jacques Peacock, communications manager at NSPCA, many human fast foods are high in fat, salt, sugar and additives, which dogs' digestive systems are not equipped to process. Importantly, 'cooked chicken bones, often found in fried chicken, can splinter easily, posing a serious risk of choking, internal injuries or intestinal blockages,' he said.
Peacock said the NSPCA picked up the video during its own media monitoring and soon after got a formal complaint from a member of the public. The matter was referred to the nearest branch for investigation.
A senior inspector from the Louis Trichardt SPCA visited the property and assessed the dogs. One was in a good condition.
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TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
SPCA explains nutrition needs after skinny dog's fast food 'treat'
The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has stepped in after a Limpopo man shared footage of himself feeding his dog takeaway chicken. Hendrick Makuya, from a village near Thohoyandou who shares clips seeking to portray 'a soft life', posted a video of himself giving his dog Bobby pieces of KFC, with bones, for 'a birthday gift'. The footage quickly spread on social media and drew criticism from animal lovers who said the dog appeared underweight. According to Jacques Peacock, communications manager at NSPCA, many human fast foods are high in fat, salt, sugar and additives, which dogs' digestive systems are not equipped to process. Importantly, 'cooked chicken bones, often found in fried chicken, can splinter easily, posing a serious risk of choking, internal injuries or intestinal blockages,' he said. Peacock said the NSPCA picked up the video during its own media monitoring and soon after got a formal complaint from a member of the public. The matter was referred to the nearest branch for investigation. A senior inspector from the Louis Trichardt SPCA visited the property and assessed the dogs. One was in a good condition.
Daily Maverick
06-08-2025
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In a written reply to the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism on the challenges facing informal pig farming, the provincial agriculture department confirmed that it had signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the South African Pork Producers Organisation to establish a coordinated approach to supporting smallholder pig farmers. 'It is hoped that the agreement will contribute meaningfully to improving biosecurity and curbing the spread of animal diseases within the sector,' said Masipa. Understanding ASF ASF is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild swine such as warthogs and bush pigs. The virus causes internal bleeding, fever and rapid death in infected animals. There is no vaccine or treatment. Although ASF does not infect humans, it can have catastrophic effects on pig populations and agriculture. 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During China's ASF epidemic in 2018-2019, more than 200 million pigs were culled, leading to global pork shortages. South Africa has thus far avoided similar devastation, but the growing frequency of ASF outbreaks outside traditional containment zones is cause for concern. Welfare and accountability The handling of this crisis has drawn condemnation from animal welfare organisations, who argue that poor planning, lack of consultation and negligent oversight contributed to the suffering and deaths of hundreds of pigs. South Africa's Animal Protection Act places a legal obligation on those in charge of animals to provide food, water, shelter, and to prevent unnecessary suffering. Although the NSPCA has issued three warnings, it has not yet indicated whether it will pursue legal action against the Cape Agulhas Municipality, but has noted in statements that the conditions at the facility may constitute violations of this Act. 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The Citizen
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Community media calls for greater government support in tackling health and disease outbreaks
'We are losing people daily, and it's not just from disease outbreaks, it's from silence, stigma, and lack of understanding.' These were the words shared by a community radio presenter, Tshidiso Hlakotsa, at the Community Media Framework for Action in Disease Outbreaks, hosted by Unicef in partnership with the Department of Health and Jhpiego at The Capital on Park on July 28. Reporters from across the community media sector gathered to share their experiences on the frontlines of public health reporting, where they often face under-resourcing, government neglect, and community misunderstanding, especially when dealing with sensitive issues like mental health. Hlakotsa recounted a chilling incident from a township, in which a mentally ill elderly woman was mistakenly accused of witchcraft and killed after she became disoriented and wandered into a neighbour's home. Also read: Generator keeps Wendywood Clinic running 'This tragedy happened because people didn't understand mental health. They didn't know what they were seeing.' The lack of mental health education and access to reliable information has cost countless lives, particularly among youth. 'A 20-year-old man who suffered from depression after losing his parents turned to drugs and eventually took his own life, another preventable loss, had the right support systems been in place.' Community media reporters also highlighted that, due to a lack of institutional resources such as libraries, media archives, or up-to-date contact lists, it becomes nearly impossible to provide communities with accurate and timely information. Reporter Makoloi Nakedi said, 'We don't even have proper filing systems or access to past coverage to re-educate communities.' He shared how mental health issues are dismissed or misunderstood in many communities, especially in black households, where children are often labelled 'lazy' or 'moody' rather than being seen as needing professional help. 'Stigma is still winning. Even within our families.' A resounding frustration was aimed at government officials and politicians who only engage with community media during election periods. Also read: Jackson's Bryanston hosts health conversation A reporter who asked not to be named said, 'They jump for mainstream media but ignore us locals who speak for the people. We're treated like we don't matter, even though we're the ones embedded in the very communities these utilities are supposed to serve. 'But when it's time for elections, you don't even follow them; they are the ones who come to you, they can even buy you a KFC. 'But the moment elections are over, we never see them again. It feels like an emotionally abusive relationship.' Another major complaint was the lack of regular communication and predictable information from public institutions. Reporters explained that last-minute press releases or event announcements often arrive too late to be of any use. Also read: Mediclinic Sandton hosts successful women and child health CPD symposium 'If it's your story and your money, you can tell us the publication time that suits you, but rather than that, we have our schedules, our priorities, and our people to serve,' said Nakedi. In response to these concerns, Department of Health communications manager Charity Bhengu acknowledged gaps in information access and communication. 'We already have centralised platforms, such as the National Institutes for Communicable Diseases (NICD) website, that list diseases from A to Z. We also work with public entities like the Health Systems Trust to update journalists during outbreaks with facts and contact numbers,' said Bhengu. Bhengu emphasised the need for better coordination and awareness, even suggesting a more systematic approach to help journalists access updated information consistently. 'If every newsroom had a central contact list and knew where to go online for reliable data, it would ease the burden tremendously.' She also highlighted the department's existing WhatsApp group for media professionals and encouraged broader participation from community media outlets. Despite the frustrations, the workshop sparked hope for future collaboration. Reporters and officials alike agreed on the need to build sustained partnerships, create structured communication timelines, and ensure mental health campaigns and other health-related campaigns are ongoing, not just during crisis moments. 'We are not just community reporters, we are educators, first responders, and sometimes the only voice of reason people hear. But we can't do it alone. We need support, consistency, and respect,' Hlakotsa concluded. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
