Vryheid SPCA – Justice finally prevails for abused Greyhounds

DLOKWAKHE Johnston Bopela was found guilty on charges of animal cruelty, laid in terms of the Animals Protection Act, on September 11, in the Vryheid Magistrates Court. 

He had entered into a plea bargain with the State/NSPCA and was sentenced to a fine of R10 000.00 or 12 months imprisonment, not suspended.

Bopela was declared unfit to own or be in charge of any animal. A further order was made that the 10 dogs currently in his care had to be handed over to the NSPCA and ownership of such animals was relinquished.
In 2011, a warrant had been obtained to visit his Vryheid property.

NSPCA and Vryheid SPCA personnel confiscated 22 greyhounds that were being kept in overcrowded and dirty conditions. The dogs had serious injuries including broken legs and wounds. No veterinary or medical treatment had been rendered. 
The dogs’ conditions were such that 11 of the 22 dogs had to be humanely euthanased on the same day by a veterinarian.

Magistrate Lentink placed on record that, had there not been a plea bargain, she would not have given Mr Bopela an option of a fine, but would have sentenced him to a period of imprisonment.

In 2009 Mr Bopela had been convicted in the Vryheid Magistrates’ Court on similar charges in terms of the Animal Protection Act.

“The NSPCA has proved in this case that we will not take animal abuse lightly and will fight until the end for justice to be served.” said Senior Inspector Jaco Pieterse.