Shooting of dog being investigated

LYDENBURG – The killing of a dog in front of children has shocked the community of Kellysville.

Jacob Mathelele’s dog was gunned down on Saturday afternoon in front of his two children, aged seven and eight.
“A man who was driving in his bakkie shouted to the kids to call off my three dogs, as they were a threat to his cattle roaming in the township. The children called the dogs and they stood slightly behind the kids.

“At that moment he got out of his bakkie, moved towards them and fired two shots, both of which hit and killed my dog,” said Mathelele.

He said that his dogs were not a threat to the cattle and his children were traumatised.
“The man is a former police officer and should know better. You can’t just take out a gun and fire shots. I love my dogs and I am very upset about the whole incident.”

The traumatised children picked up the dog and hid the carcass in a nearby bush. “They thought the dog might still be alive and hid it until I could be called and in case the man came back.”

Cathy Schutte of Home4Paws was immediately called to investigate this latest act of animal cruelty. Mathelele said he is not about to let this incident go. His children will now have to go for trauma counselling on account of the incident.

https://steelburgernews.co.za/257937/dog-dies-cruel-death-hands-two-men-warning-graphic-pictures/

Schutte said that she has laid a claim of animal cruelty according to Act 71 of 1962 at Lydenburg SAPS on Tuesday. “I will also obtain a veterinarian report. The dog was shot twice, once through the hips and another bullet went through the chest of the dog. It would, however, seem that the animal was shot from behind. The veterinarian report will indicate whether this is the case.”

https://steelburgernews.co.za/209286/dogs-butchered/

Schutte said that residents should be aware that any act of animal cruelty will be investigated and followed up by Home 4 Paws.

“Animal cruelty will be dealt with according to law and criminal charges will be laid. “