The National Council of SPCAs referred an anonymous complaint to the Johannesburg SPCA on May 26, 2021.

The complaint included the name and address of the accused as well as a TikTok account link. This account’s videos showed an enclosed python being fed live rabbits, and a live mouse being fed to a tarantula.

On May 27, 2021, senior inspector Lukheli Israel, accompanied by inspector Zacharia Nemutaduni, obtained a warrant from the Protea Magistrate’s Court in Soweto. Later that day, they executed the warrant at the address provided.

Upon arrival, they found the snake and tarantula seen in the videos. The accused admitted to feeding live prey, owning the TikTok account and posting the videos.

The inspectors confiscated nine snakes, a tarantula and one underweight leopard gecko. The Lenasia SAPS opened a docket under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

On September 8, Jardine was found guilty on two counts of animal cruelty. He was sentenced on September 16, where he was ordered to pay a fine of R4 300 or face 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for five years, and permanently deprived of ownership of the confiscated animals, which remain in the SPCA’s custody.

The Johannesburg SPCA welcomed the outcome, which reinforced its intolerance to animal cruelty in any form.

The deliberate infliction of suffering for social media content is unlawful and unacceptable.

• Issued by Liana Marx, JSPCA PR