PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
City of Cape Town Draft Animal Keeping By-law
Sun, 27 September 2026
This page is part of a more easily readable version of the controversial Draft Animal Keeping By-law published for public comment until 29 September 2026. There are links below to the other 44 sections.
Comments and submissions should be emailed to animal.bylaw@capetown.gov.za
See next section
SECTION 16
16. Working Dogs
(1) A working dog must be registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) in terms of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, 2001(Act 56 of 2001).
(2) No more than one permit may be issued in respect of a working dog.
(3) No working dog may be left unattended on any site without the presence of a person or security officer qualified and able to handle the animal.
(4) Any site where any working dog is used must have a suitable enclosure and kennel on such site where the dog is to be confined when not patrolling. Such enclosure must have a suitable lock to prevent the dog from escaping and causing a nuisance.
(5) No pregnant or on-heat dog may be used for working purposes at any time.
(6) No working dog may be confined in any enclosure smaller than at least 4 meters in length, 2 meters in width and 1.8 meters in height. Any such enclosure must contain a kennel for added protection against the weather elements and clean drinking water must be provided at all times.
(7) No working dog may be left tied, chained or tethered on any site.
(8) Any enclosure containing any working dog must have the identification details of the specific animal clearly displayed on the enclosure, which shall also contain the name of the company that owns and operates with the dog.
(9) This section, insofar as it relates to permits, shall not apply to any person who is in charge of working equine owned by the City, the South African Police Service, the South African Defense Force or SANParks while such equine are being used for official operational purposes, subject to compliance with all applicable animal welfare, care, control and harnessing requirements.
(1) A working dog must be registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) in terms of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, 2001(Act 56 of 2001).
(2) No more than one permit may be issued in respect of a working dog.
(3) No working dog may be left unattended on any site without the presence of a person or security officer qualified and able to handle the animal.
(4) Any site where any working dog is used must have a suitable enclosure and kennel on such site where the dog is to be confined when not patrolling. Such enclosure must have a suitable lock to prevent the dog from escaping and causing a nuisance.
(5) No pregnant or on-heat dog may be used for working purposes at any time.
(6) No working dog may be confined in any enclosure smaller than at least 4 meters in length, 2 meters in width and 1.8 meters in height. Any such enclosure must contain a kennel for added protection against the weather elements and clean drinking water must be provided at all times.
(7) No working dog may be left tied, chained or tethered on any site.
(8) Any enclosure containing any working dog must have the identification details of the specific animal clearly displayed on the enclosure, which shall also contain the name of the company that owns and operates with the dog.
(9) This section, insofar as it relates to permits, shall not apply to any person who is in charge of working equine owned by the City, the South African Police Service, the South African Defense Force or SANParks while such equine are being used for official operational purposes, subject to compliance with all applicable animal welfare, care, control and harnessing requirements.
See next section
Comments and submissions should be emailed to animal.bylaw@capetown.gov.za
Other sections
CHAPTER 1 – General Provisions
CHAPTER 2 – Keeping of Animals
CHAPTER 3 – Bee Keeping
CHAPTER 4 – Enforcement