A dog in Cape Town suffered for days after a home castration attempt with a rubber band. The SPCA’s message is simple: ask for help, because it exists.
A dog called Brownie suffered for days after a friend of his owner allegedly tried to castrate him by tying a rubber band around his testicles, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA reported on 12 October. There was no anaesthetic used, no pain relief provided and no vet involved.
SPCA inspector Jeffrey Mfini found Brownie in severe pain, with heavily swollen, inflamed testicles. An SPCA mobile clinic was just 500 metres away at the time. Brownie was taken to the SPCA Animal Hospital and his owner surrendered him. The friend was arrested and is awaiting trial, so this remains an allegation. Brownie has since found a loving home.
Why home castration is dangerous
Neutering is a major operation that needs general anaesthesia and should not be done by an unqualified person.
Vets in Canada have warned about these home methods with rubber bands. A Saskatchewan veterinary association spokesperson said rubber-band castration causes extreme pain, can fail to fully castrate the dog, and can lead to licking, infection and self-mutilation, according to dvm360. Repairing the damage often costs far more than a proper surgical castration.
Attempting to perform the procedure in this way can also land you in court. The Cape SPCA has said that castrating your own animal is an offence under the Animals Protection Act.
If you cannot afford a vet, ask for help
The SPCA’s advice is to ask for help rather than attempt it yourself. Its mobile clinics serve communities where vet care is limited, too costly or out of reach, and there is a sterilisation pre-booking service. Call before you go, because fees and clinic schedules are not listed on the website.
- Cape of Good Hope SPCA office hours: 021 700 4140
- After hours: 083 326 1604
- Address: 1st Ave and First Road, Grassy Park, Cape Town
These services are in the Western Cape. Outside the Cape, contact your local SPCA or animal welfare organisation.
The Cape SPCA also reported on 30 September that it is about 6500 sterilisations into a target of 10,000 for 2026, using a new transport vehicle in Elsies River to get pets to the clinic.
If you see cruelty
The SPCA asks the public to report cruelty and speak up for animals who cannot speak for themselves. In Brownie’s case, an inspector’s visit got him the help he needed.
