After a video of a cat being abused was widely circulated on social media, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA launched an investigation to trace the suspect and ensure justice was served.
Yesterday, inspectors of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and officers of the City of Cape Town law enforcement arrested a suspect and his accomplice in Hanover Park following video footage that was sent to the SPCA.
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With little information, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA initiated a manhunt to find the suspect and decided to make the video public, with a plea to encourage those with information to come forward.
The SPCA received several leads that enabled the team, with the assistance of the City’s law enforcement, to arrest the suspect and his accomplice.
The young man suddenly threw the animal into the air, sending it flying over a nearby roof.
Both the abuser and the person filming the video can be heard laughing, with the abuser concluding, “nou is hy ook op.”
The young man and his accomplice (18), who recorded the abuse, were arrested and charged with animal cruelty under the Animals Protection Act (71 of 1962).
Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, said, “Having to watch the video that was circulated was horrifying, making it hard to believe that such a cruel act could be induced upon a helpless, innocent animal.”
He continued, “It is a growing concern how the continuous exposure to violence within society desensitizes our youth, whereby in turn it drives them to inflict pain and suffering onto others. In this same manner, organised gangs introduce the cruel sport of dogfighting to our youth in order to create a feeling of superiority amongst those who are able to cause the most injury and harm,” Smith concluded.
“It’s a vicious cycle that requires the whole of society to bring about needed change. It is with our utmost gratitude that the SPCA was able to react so quickly in the pursuit of justice. We will continue providing support where needed and recognise their value in animal welfare.”
The two perpetrators will now appear in Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on animal cruelty charges. Given that the suspect is a minor, the SPCA is working with the Western Cape Department of Public Prosecutions to ensure appropriate action is taken.
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA