Last week, a case of animal cruelty was laid against two men in Petrusburg, Free State, after boiling water was poured on a dog, allegedly by the pair, reportedly in an attempt to spite its owner.

“The aim was making the owner feel pain,” says SPCA inspector Tebogo Maswanganye. “The Bloemfontein SPCA took swift action getting to Petrusburg to investigate the matter immediately after receiving a call from the owner of the dog,” he adds.

According to Bloemfontein Courant, the dog, Viro, was found suffering, and taken to a vet for examinations. “The two young men were taken into police custody as they were known in the area to be troublesome,” states the inspector. According to reports, the pair also threatened to harm another individual’s pigs.

“We hope that justice will be served,” says Maswanganye. “We would also like to give Viro another chance by covering his medical bills and get him well again.”