(GRAPHIC IMAGE) Kloof SPCA welcomes justice for chained Pinetown pooch
The dog's owner was sentenced to four months imprisonment or a R2 000 fine.
A VICTORY for animal welfare was achieved on Friday, 10 May 2019 for Boyz, a cross GSD male, who was subjected to animal cruelty by his owner, Thandi Ngcobo.
Inspector Petra Abrams, from the Kloof and Highway SPCA and Inspectorate Manager Sue Noakes, went to court for two and a half years and attended 21 court appearances to obtain justice for the dog.
The accused, Thandi Ngcobo, pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty on 12 December 2018 at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court.
“The sentencing was remanded for financial review after Ngcobo’s legal representative claimed she would be unable to afford to pay a fine,” said the Kloof SPCA’s Brigitte Rossouw.
On 8 November in 2016, Inspector Petra Abrams was investigating a complaint of animal cruelty and was horrified and distressed at what she saw at the Pinetown residence.
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Boyz, a cross GSD male, was attached to a short chain. He was left without water or shelter and the short chain was like a noose and was embedded into the skin around his neck.
“Boyz had a raw, severely infected, open wound, all around his neck which was approximately 1.5cm deep,” said Rossouw.
Inspector Petra Abrams rushed Boyz to the Kloof and Highway SPCA’s veterinarian, Dr Mary-Anne Anderson. “She made the most heart-breaking decision and advised everyone that, as he had been suffering so severely for a long period of time, that the most humane decision would be to euthanase Boyz,” said Rossouw.
The Kloof and Highway SPCA opened a case of animal cruelty against the owner, Ngcobo, under the Animals Protection Act, No 71 of 1962. The charges included the chaining of Boyz in such a manner as to cause him unnecessary suffering, failure to provide shelter, withholding water and failure to procure veterinary treatment.
Inspectorate manager, Sue Noakes, said, “Boyz’ suffering, and the extent of his wounds, were sadly just too severe for him to be rehabilitated to be rehomed. This saddened all staff involved as everyone wanted Boyz to be given a second chance to experience love from a responsible owner. That made us fight so much harder to obtain justice for his suffering and give him a voice.”
Rossouw said, “Before sentencing, public prosecutor S Mthethwa requested that the court consider the seriousness of the offences and that the sentence set an example for future offenders found guilty of animal cruelty. Upon the request of Kloof and Highway SPCA Inspectorate, he submitted an application to the court that the accused be denied any future ownership of animals.”
Magistrate Hadebe agreed that the offences needed to be considered in a serious light and that because of Ngcobo’s neglect, Boyz had to suffer unnecessarily.
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Ngcobo was sentenced to a fine of R2 000 or four months imprisonment, half of which is suspended for three years, provided the accused is not found guilty of any other offences under the Animals Protection Act during this time. Magistrate Hadebe declared that Ngcobo would not be allowed to own any animals in future.
“The Kloof and Highway SPCA would like to thank the caring members of public who brought Boyz’ plight to our attention and public prosecutor Mthethwa, who fought alongside our SPCA. It does not matter how long it takes, our SPCA will continue to fight for a better life and justice for the defenseless animals in our community,” said Rossouw.
The Kloof and Highway SPCA appeals to the Highway community to donate and support its inspectorate team, which is on call 24/7. Contact the NPO on 031 764 1212, or for after-hours emergencies, 073 3359 322. Alternatively, email inspectorate@kloofspca.co.za. To make a donation via its website, visit kloofspca.co.za.
WARNING: The image below is graphic – not for sensitive or young readers.
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