City pet stores have seen a marked increase in the sale of anti-bark collars as pet owners take heed of the ramifications of the city’s Animal Control By-law.
The SPCA, however, remains adamant that electric devices used to stop dogs from barking are not the solution.
The city’s by-law prohibits dogs from barking, howling, yelping or whining for more than six minutes every hour – giving officials the clout to fine owners or confiscate their animals. The by-law was promulgated in August and the provisions are expected to take effect on May 5.
In January, it was reported that 1 873 offences had been recorded under the by-law.
Meanwhile, pet stores report that many pet owners have been enquiring about or buying devices used to silence their barking animals after receiving complaints from neighbours.
Kelly Newbold, at Tangles Yuppy Puppy Petshop in Sea Point, said: “Sometimes people buy them simply as courtesy to their neighbours.”
Newbold said the collar gives off a mild vibration, similar to a cellphone vibration, every time the dog barks.
Another option was a citronella spray collar which emits a liquid spray when its wearer barks, but Zareena Logday, from Pet Adventure in Kenilworth, said this was less popular than the vibrating collars.
She said the spray collars were not as effective as the vibrating collars because dogs have snouts of varying shapes and sizes and sometimes the spray did not reach their nostrils. “People are enquiring about it (vibrating collars) almost weekly – even though they’ve been around for about five years.”
Harold Levitt, of Perky Pets in Diep River, said customers have been enquiring about both the sonic and spray collars.
“I can confirm that the majority of our enquiries have been as a result of the by-law and neighbours’ complaints,” he said.
However, the National Council of SPCA said it was opposed to any electronic training devices and was awaiting the results of research conducted into the collars.
Mayoral committee member for Safety and Security JP Smith said that when the by-law first came into being they dealt with, on average, 500 complaints a month but that the numbers had since reduced. - Cape Argus