Cape Town – A 23-year-old man from Cape Town was arrested for raping a dog hours after a “sickening” selfie-style video footage emerged on social media of him committing the act.
According to a statement by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, the footage shows the suspect “engaged in an act of bestiality”. It was then forwarded to the SPCA’s senior inspectors by concerned community members.
The SPCA investigated the incident and traced the man to his home address in Manenberg, Cape Town where an arrest was made.
“Thanks to the full support of the Manenberg SAPS and the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement and Metro Police, the perpetrator of this heinous crime was arrested just hours after we received this sickening footage,” said SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse.
The man was taken into police custody.
The SPCA confirmed that it had laid criminal charges against him for bestiality in terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 and animal cruelty on terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 which makes it an offence to ill-treat, torture or terrify any animal.
“We also removed the victim, a small-breed, young dog from the property. In addition to evidence of having suffered horrendous sexual abuse, the puppy was also confined to a small wooden box and forced to live in otherwise deplorable conditions,” Pieterse said.
The dog will remain in safekeeping after it underwent a full veterinary assessment at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
“When one considers a crime of this nature, we must not forget that the link between gender-based violence (GBV) and animal abuse is highlighted,” Pieterse added.
“We will do all that we can in ensuring that the significantly cruel act of animal rape is prosecuted to the full extent of the law in the interests of protecting those without a voice,” said the SPCA.
The SPCA urged communities to report animal cruelty and cases of bestiality.
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
