Cape Town’s Animal Rescue Organisation has suspended its mobile clinics after staff were attacked and robbed during an outreach near Siyahlala Clinic in Philippi. About nine men allegedly assaulted the team, attempting to force them into their vehicle before stealing phones and personal items.

Workers escaped but were left injured and traumatised. ARO says December’s rise in violent crime has made mobile operations unsafe, and pet owners are being directed to the organisation’s full-service clinic in Ottery for treatment.