68-year-old man arrested for allegedly shooting and killing pitbull
The man was taken into police custody and charged with animal cruelty, the unlawful discharge of a firearm, and malicious damage to property.
A 68-year-old Lammermoor resident was taken into police custody after allegedly shooting his neighbour’s dog three times.
On 3 October, members of the Randburg SPCA accompanied by the Muldersdrift police attended to the scene.
This after witnesses had reported that man had allegedly shot a female pitbull terrier three times, after the dog got into a fight with other dogs on the property.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers of the SPCA interviewed the witnesses and examined the surviving dog that was involved in the fight with the pitbull.
After identifying the shooter, head of inspectorate of the SPCA, inspector Shiven Bodasing, engaged with the alleged suspect.
It was learnt that the man heard the dogs barking and fighting outside of his property in a common area which borders all the neighbours’ properties.
“The suspect then proceeded to go into his house, fetch his firearm, walk out of his premises to the fighting dogs a few metres away, and instead of attempting to separate them, fired three shots into the female pitbull,” said Bodasing.
He added that the surviving dog was a medium-sized mixed breed and after examination, was not injured and did not need veterinary treatment.
“As officers, we are vested with a certain discretion, and are empowered to investigate offences in respect of animals. In respect of this incident, it was clear that there existed far less severe methods the suspect could have employed to achieve the same result.”
He added that it was not reasonable nor necessary to resort to the shooting of the animal, and there was no attempt made to separate the animals.
“There were people all around him and the suspect is not entitled to take the law into his own hands. The most inexcusable aggravating fact of this matter is that he discharged a firearm in such a manner to expose other people to immediate danger.”
Bradley Hughes, a SPCA cadet said, “It was so unnecessary to have to shoot the dog, the other dog was not even injured in the fight, so it clearly wasn’t severe enough to warrant the use of a firearm.”
The body of the female pitbull was removed by the SPCA from a shallow grave behind the premises for post-mortem examination and fragment ballistics.
The man was taken into police custody and charged with animal cruelty, the unlawful discharge of a firearm, and malicious damage to property.
Bodasing added that animal cruelty was a schedule one offence, and any person convicted of it shall be liable to a fine of R40 000 or direct imprisonment without the option of a fine in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.
The Randburg Sun has contacted the Muldersdrift police and is awaiting their response.
