Warning sensitive images: Randburg SPCA secures justice for puppy as abuser is fined R10 000

Through perseverance, the Randburg SPCA managed to secure the conviction of a man charged with animal cruelty.

On 23 March last year at about 8pm, senior inspector Debbie Kegel, was alerted to an awful case of cruelty to an animal in the Zandspruit informal settlement by Honeydew police. Together with the police, the SPCA team rushed to the scene by which time the perpetrator had already been arrested.

A 10- to 12-week-old rottweiler puppy was found tied to a pole with a plastic bag around his neck. He was in a terrible state with blood pouring from his tail and was whimpering in pain.

“His left ear was cut off with scissors and his tail was sawn off with a serrated knife,” said Kegel.

The puppy was rushed to a Fourways vet where he was administered with pain medication, his wounds were cleaned and he was given an antibiotic injection and put on a drip.

“He had to go to our own vet in Northriding. The vet found that the tail and the ear were mutilated. Surgery had to be performed in order to fix the ear. The last vertebrae had to be removed as the tail was so closely cut to the body, there was no extra skin to close the wound.”

The puppy healed very well and he was found a loving home.

A case of cruelty was opened under the Animal Protection Act which states: ‘[to] perform tail-docking, unless for justifiable medical reasons, will be liable for prosecution under the Animal Protection Act No 71 of 1962.’

“Our first appearance [in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court] was in June last year,” added Kegel.

“We appeared numerous times as the defence was determined to move this case for diversion.”

However, the SPCA persevered and with the assistance of the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) and holding various meetings with the state’s public prosecutor, it could be proven that no animal cruelty case should be afforded diversion.

The case finally went to trial on 29 January this year.

The accused, Foster Chabalala, who works for a security company, was found guilty after pleading his guilt. The sentencing was beyond Kegel’s and the NSPCA’s expectations.

Chabalala was fined R10 000 or sentenced to four months’ imprisonment of which half was suspended on condition he paid Randburg SPCA’s medical bill in seven days and that he did not contravene the Animal Protection Act in the next five years.

At the time of going to press, Chabalala had not yet paid the medical fees.