Bokang Matjelo (39) was arrested on May 19, after a warrant of arrest was issued for him after he failed to appear in court on April 30.
He was apprehended and appeared in the Daveyton Magistrates Court on May 20 and 21, on a charge of cruelty to animals and being an illegal immigrant.
The court said he pleaded guilty to being an illegal immigrant and was sentenced to a R300 fine or three months imprisonment, suspended for five years.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge of cruelty to animals.
The City Times reported on the March 2 incident, in which the suspect allegedly beat his neighbour’s dog, Tobie, apparently for no reason.
Tobie’s eyeball had to be removed to prevent it from rotting and there was a 5cm piercing in the dog’s chest, which has affected her mobility.
The dog’s original owner, Peter Mnguni, relinquished his dog for fear that she would be beaten again.
She was adopted by Northmead resident Tania Forrest-Smith.
Related stories: Tobie’s alleged attacker arrested
