In South Africa, it is against the law to:

❌ Hurt or abuse an animal – This includes hitting, kicking, terrifying, torturing, or harming an animal in any way.

❌ Keep an animal in bad conditions – Animals need space, shelter, fresh air, and a safe place to live. You cannot keep them tied up, tethered or locked away in a way that causes suffering.

❌ Deny food, water, or medical care – Every animal must have enough food, clean water, and vet care when needed.

❌ Keep an animal in poor health – It is illegal to let an animal suffer from illness, parasites, or injury without treatment. If an animal is beyond saving, humane euthanasia must be provided.

❌ Poison an animal – It is illegal to poison an animal unless it’s for legal pest control, and even then, you must take the necessary precautions to not harm other animals.

❌ Use harmful equipment – Using equipment, appliances, or vehicle that hurts an animal is not allowed.

❌ Force animals to fight – It is illegal to organise or participate in dogfighting, cockfighting, or any kind of animal fights.

❌ Abandon an animal – Leaving an animal behind without food, water, or shelter is a crime.

❌ Set traps without a permit – You cannot use traps, snares, or other devices to catch or kill animals unless legally permitted. If you use a legal trap, you must check it daily.

❌ Transport animals cruelly – Animals must not be packed into small spaces or transported in a way that causes pain or stress.

❌ Commit other harmful acts – Giving an animal harmful drugs without reason, encouraging animals to attack each other, or causing suffering through neglect or reckless actions is illegal.

If you break these laws, you can face fines, arrest, or jail time.