A 23-year-old man from Cape Town was arrested hours after a “sickening” selfie-style video of him having sex with a dog went viral on social media.
The footage, which showed the perpetrator engaged in an act of bestiality, went viral after being posted online.
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The video found its way to Cape of Good Hope SPCA senior inspectors after being forwarded by concerned members of the community.
The SPCA immediately investigated the incident and within mere hours was able to trace the man to his home address in Manenberg, where an arrest was made.
“Thanks to the full support of the Manenberg SAPS and the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement and Metro Police, the perpetrator of this heinous crime was arrested just hours after we received this sickening footage,” said SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse.
The man was taken into police custody, and the SPCA has laid criminal charges against him for bestiality in terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 and animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, which makes it an offence to ill-treat, torture or terrify any animal.
“We also removed the victim, a small-breed, young dog from the property. In addition to evidence of having suffered horrendous sexual abuse, the puppy was also confined to a small wooden box and forced to live in otherwise deplorable conditions,” added Pieterse.
The dog underwent a full veterinary assessment at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and will remain in safekeeping.
“When one considers a crime of this nature, we must not forget that the link between gender-based violence (GBV) and animal abuse is highlighted,” Pieterse went on to state. The SPCA cites the statistic that at least 71 percent of those who are perpetrators of GBV are also likely to abuse the most vulnerable in our midst: children, the elderly, and of course, animals.
“We will do all that we can in ensuring that the significantly cruel act of animal rape is prosecuted to the full extent of the law in the interests of protecting those without a voice,” confirmed Pieterse.
The SPCA urges communities to report animal cruelty and cases of bestiality.
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Pictures: Supplied