A man from Volksrust was arrested for alleged sexual abuse of a dog, according to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).

NSPCA spokesman, Jacques Peacock, said in a media statement the arrest followed extensive investigations by the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit (SPU) in Volksrust, where the unit’s inspectors acted on information received and executed a warrant at the property concerned.

The SPU found two dogs, one male and one female, on the property – one which matches the dog seen in video evidence in the NSPCA’s possession. Both dogs were taken to a place of safekeeping, where a veterinarian conducted forensic examinations.

The man was arrested, and the matter was postponed to July 27 to allow for further investigation. He remains in custody.

Peacock said the NSPCA has information of a possible link between this man and a teacher from Mahlabatini in KwaZulu-Natal who was also arrested for bestiality. In the second case, 15 goats were removed.

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“Bestiality cases take months of careful investigative work, from the first tip-off through to the arrest,” said Senior Inspector Arno de Klerk of the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit.

“We are seeing more cases of sexual abuse of animals, and we depend heavily on the public to report what they see or hear, so that we can act on it.”

Bestiality is a serious offence under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act No. 32 of 2007, and in most instances gives rise to severe suffering, prosecutable under the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962.

These cases are difficult to detect because they take place in private, which is why tip-offs from the public are central to the Unit’s work.

Anyone who suspects that an animal is being sexually abused is urged to report it to their nearest SPCA or to the NSPCA on 011 907 3590 or at www.nspca.co.za. All reports are anonymous.

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