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
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SECTION 17
17. Seizure, impounding and destroying of Working Animals
(1) An authorised official may seize or impound any working animal at a place appointed by the City, under the following circumstances if ―
(a) the animal is to be destroyed on the advice of a veterinary surgeon or in terms of the provisions of any applicable law.
(b) the authorised official reasonably suspects that the animal is incapable of continuing to pull an animal drawn vehicle.
(c) in the opinion of the authorised official, the animal constitutes a hazard to traffic on any public street.
(d) the animal is at large or appears to be without an owner.
(e) the animal is found in any public place and, in the opinion of the authorised official, is not under proper control.
(f) the animal is found to be working without the required permit/s or is being worked under conditions contrary to those listed in Sections 15 and 16 of this By-Law.
(2) An authorised official may seize or impound any working equine, along with the animal drawn vehicle, under the following conditions:
(a) If the equine is put to work by a person who does not possess a valid "operator's permit" as required by this By-Law.
(b) If the equine does not have a valid "equine permit" as required by this By-Law.
(c) If the person operating the working equine is found to be in breach of any provision of this By-Law or is using the equine and animal-drawn vehicle in connection with or for the execution of any criminal activity.
(3) The costs associated with the seizure or impounding, care, and disposal of the working animal and any animal drawn vehicle shall be borne by the owner or operator of the working animal. Such cost shall be determined by the City from time to time.
(4) The City may dispose of any seized or impounded working animal if the animal is not reclaimed by the owner within 7 days of the seizure or impoundment, or if it is deemed necessary for the animal's welfare or public safety.
(5) The City may dispose of any animal drawn vehicle if the animal drawn vehicle is not reclaimed within 90 days of the seizure or impoundment.
(1) An authorised official may seize or impound any working animal at a place appointed by the City, under the following circumstances if ―
(a) the animal is to be destroyed on the advice of a veterinary surgeon or in terms of the provisions of any applicable law.
(b) the authorised official reasonably suspects that the animal is incapable of continuing to pull an animal drawn vehicle.
(c) in the opinion of the authorised official, the animal constitutes a hazard to traffic on any public street.
(d) the animal is at large or appears to be without an owner.
(e) the animal is found in any public place and, in the opinion of the authorised official, is not under proper control.
(f) the animal is found to be working without the required permit/s or is being worked under conditions contrary to those listed in Sections 15 and 16 of this By-Law.
(2) An authorised official may seize or impound any working equine, along with the animal drawn vehicle, under the following conditions:
(a) If the equine is put to work by a person who does not possess a valid "operator's permit" as required by this By-Law.
(b) If the equine does not have a valid "equine permit" as required by this By-Law.
(c) If the person operating the working equine is found to be in breach of any provision of this By-Law or is using the equine and animal-drawn vehicle in connection with or for the execution of any criminal activity.
(3) The costs associated with the seizure or impounding, care, and disposal of the working animal and any animal drawn vehicle shall be borne by the owner or operator of the working animal. Such cost shall be determined by the City from time to time.
(4) The City may dispose of any seized or impounded working animal if the animal is not reclaimed by the owner within 7 days of the seizure or impoundment, or if it is deemed necessary for the animal's welfare or public safety.
(5) The City may dispose of any animal drawn vehicle if the animal drawn vehicle is not reclaimed within 90 days of the seizure or impoundment.
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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