A man convicted of throwing a dog from the fourth floor of a block of flats after a Cape of Good Hope SPCA investigation has ended in a guilty verdict at court, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has welcomed the conviction of Xzeaan Fortuin, who was found guilty on 24 July 2026 for animal cruelty in a case that began in May 2024.
The court heard that City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officers alerted the SPCA after attending a block of flats in Belmont Park, where reports said a dog had been thrown from the fourth floor.
When inspectors arrived, they found the dog in a critical condition. The animal could not stand or move on its own, had visible blood staining and was breathing with difficulty. It whined when touched and was rushed for urgent veterinary care.
The court imposed a fine of R10 000 or six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. Fortuin was also declared unfit to own or care for any animal for two years.
The SPCA said the outcome shows that deliberate cruelty will be investigated and prosecuted. ‘While no sentence can undo the suffering endured by the animal, the conviction reinforces that deliberate acts of cruelty against animals are criminal offences,’ the organisation said.
The SPCA thanked City Law Enforcement and SAPS for their swift response and support throughout the case. Members of the public can report cruelty to the SPCA, which says it treats all complaints confidentially.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Animal cruelty case: Muizenberg court imposes maximum sentence
Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA
