Johannesburg — Authorities are currently searching for a French woman who was caught throwing a dog of the third floor balcony at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
In a statement, the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) reported that two senior inspectors, Arno de Klerk and Denise Govender, were called to the airport to deal with the tragic incident.
According to NSPCA Chief Operations Officer, Grace de Lange, a French woman was travelling from France to Johannesburg and was making her way to Brazil. She was travelling with her dog as an extra “passenger”.
“At approximately 03:30 am on the morning of 8 November 2024, video footage from the Airport Company South Africa (ACSA) shows the woman strolling through the Atrium at OR Tambo International Airport, with her small black dog running freely. As the dog reaches her, the woman picks the dog up and callously throws it over the balcony railing,” de Lange said.
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The dog suffered severe injuries and was bleeding from the mouth. Airport officials contacted Kempton Park SPCA for assistance. However, the injuries were too much and the dog had to be euthanised.
“Inspectors from the SPCA arrived at the scene and took the suffering dog into their care. At a nearby veterinary hospital, it was confirmed that the dog had sustained extensive internal injuries and was euthanised to end its suffering,” de Lange added.
OR Tambo officials stopped the flight to Brazil to investigate the incident and, following an extensive passenger check, the woman had not boarded the flight so she was still within the airport.
“Senior Inspector Govender from NSPCA was assigned to investigate the incident and is in the process of laying criminal charges against the French national with the local SAPS,” de Lange added.
She said the NSPCA remained shocked by the incident and sent an alert for the woman responsible for this act to be brought to justice.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
