Man arrested for burning pit bulls

A man has been arrested for hitting two dogs with a spade before burning them alive.

Police spokesperson Samuel Sebola confirmed police found one of the two pit bulls dead in Makgatho Section, Winterveldt, Pretoria.

The other dog was rushed to an animal clinic, but was later put down, Rekord North reported.

Sebola said the police were looking for the 75-year-old culprit’s son, who allegedly assisted his father in the attack.

It is believed the two dogs, who belong to a neighbour, entered the man’s yard.

“The two men cornered the dogs and hit them with a spade. One of the dogs collapsed. The two men allegedly doused the two dogs with petrol and set them alight,” said Sebola.

The dogs’ owner, Judith Hlatswayo, said she was still in bed on Saturday morning when she heard the dogs’ bitter howls.

“I looked out the window. The dogs howled out in pain. I saw the man and his son hitting them with a spade,” said Hlatswayo.

“Initially, I did not suspect they were my dogs. I went to check on my dogs and when I did not find them, I knew the two men were beating my dogs.”

Hlatswayo said she later saw the two men dousing the dogs with petrol.

“Something inside me died instantly. Words cannot express the pain and hurt I felt at that moment.

“I called the police and the SPCA because my two pit bulls were under the SPCA’s inspection.”

Hlatswayo said the men never explained why they killed the animals.

“Even if they [the dogs] did something wrong, I do not think they deserved to be killed in the manner in which they were. This is cruelty of the highest level.”

Police said the man was charged with animal cruelty and was expected in court on Tuesday.

SPCA inspector Mishack Matlou confirmed the attack and said the pit bull that was taken to the vet had to be put down due to the nature of her injuries.

– Caxton News Service

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