[GRAPHIC IMAGES]: Malvern man appears in court for severe animal cruelty

MALVERN’S Mike Dasebrook appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on charges of animal cruelty on Tuesday afternoon.

The Kloof and Highway SPCA reported on its Facebook page that on 5 January, Inspector Petros Simamane removed an emaciated, un-neutered male Africanus dog that was chained to the fence on a one metre-long chain from Dasebrook’s residence in Malvern.

The Kloof and Highway SPCA was alerted to this matter after concerned residents reported it to the inspectorate department.

Mike Dasebrook is being charged with animal cruelty for denying the dog veterinary treatment.

The dog was in an appalling condition, severely emaciated and had fly bites to both ears. He was suffering from old, untreated injuries to its paws, the cause of which were unknown.

According to the SPCA, blood smears revealed that the dog also had Ehrlichia, a disease transmitted by ticks.

The dog’s condition was dire, and the SPCA made the decision to humanely euthanse it. The case has been remanded until 19 May.