Dog abused mercilessly with a knobkerrie

The blood-curdling screams of a dog who receives a brutal beating by his owner echoed through the Roodepoort Magistrates Court yesterday.

This happened after Eric Taljaard from the Roodepoort SPCA put his laptop on the table in front of the prosecutor and other court representatives to show them the gruesome and horrific video.

There was absolute silence in the courtroom followed by gasps of shock. The prosecutor turned around and walked out visibly appalled and distraught. The court was adjourned for a few minutes.

The video shows the greyhound dog howling in pain, however, this did not stop his owner from beating him with a knobkerrie until he was unconscious, only because the dog allegedly ate his own faeces.

His owner, a 63-year-old man from Florida did not show any mercy to his dog in the video.

He was arrested in February this year on the charges of animal abuse.

“The greyhound couldn’t move, couldn’t lift his head. He was lying in the mud, in the urine … you know, like when someone has just given up,” said Mandy Cattannach manager at the SPCA in a press statement.

The dog was removed from the property and veterinarians euthanased him because his injuries were so severe.

“He has shown absolutely no remorse when he appeared in court yesterday,” said Cattanach.

Although the incident happened in February this year, Cattanach said the dog has allegedly been living in horrid conditions for a while.

The owner allegedly received a warning in 2014 for abusing his dog but that did not stop him from continuing to beat him relentlessly.

He initially pleaded guilty to all charges but decided seconds later to change his initial guilty plea which resulted in his legal representative choosing to withdraw from the case. She allegedly said she refuses to represent him because she believes he is guilty.

A video of the dog’s ordeal, taken by a neighbour who allegedly had enough of the abuse, was handed in as evidence against the accused.

The accused will go to trial on 15 October.

The Record will keep you updated as soon as we receive more information.

Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 414 6709. 

Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.

For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!