Cape Town – City of Cape Town staff reportedly rescued a dog that was trapped inside a plastic bag during routine refuse collection on September 21.
According to Times Live, the Pelican Park urban waste management team discovered the dog and immediately saved it.
The owner’s girlfriend, who has been arrested, was caught on CCTV throwing the dog into a refuse bin and brutally beating it with a wood pole for over an hour.
The dog, named Scruffy, was found in a severe state with his legs bound together and mouth taped shut, showing clear signs of intentional abuse, including multiple injuries and bruises.
“While emptying a dustbin into the truck, officials were shocked to find a dog, still alive, taped inside a plastic bag.
“The officials took immediate action to save the dog from potential harm from the truck machinery. The animal was found in a severe state, with his legs bound together and mouth taped shut. The critical condition of the dog showed clear signs of intentional abuse as it bore multiple injuries and bruises,” Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA conducted an investigation, tracked down the owner with the help of a concerned neighbour, and obtained CCTV footage confirming the girlfriend’s actions.
The accused confessed to her actions, justifying her cruelty as irritation with the dog, which escalated when she was scolded by her partner.
Despite the severe abuse, Scruffy miraculously survived. The accused was arrested, and charges of animal cruelty were filed against her.
Scruffy is now under the care of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA animal hospital, where he is being treated for extensive injuries, including soft-tissue damage and a skull fracture.
The suspect appeared in court, was released on bail, and the case has been postponed to November 1.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
