The NSPCA shared their happy news where multiple parties were convicted of crimes against animals, getting jail time, house arrest and paying large fines.
The past few months have been extremely successful for the NSPCA Special Investigations Unit as two of their cases came to an end. The team successfully sent five dog fighters to prison from two different cases and a further 12 men were placed under house arrest.
The one case involving 4 of dog fighters was launched in 2013, when eighteen people were arrested and 14 dogs rescued in Tsakane. Nearly five years later on 18 April 2018 justice was served at the Nigel Magistrates court.
“All it takes for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing – but in this case, a lot of good people chose to do something” – Magistrate Juan Voogt
Each of the men was sentienced to 2 years in prison. All the convicted men were found unfit to possess firearms and found unfit to own dogs. If they are found in possession of a dog they could receive 12 months direct imprisonment.
Further to the life-changing conditions of house arrest, the ten spectators of the dog fight were also sentenced to 360 hours of community service and a total of R50 000 has to be paid to the NSPCA.
Magistrate Voogt added that SPCA Inspectors are the guardians and protectors of these animals and were also victims that suffered from the trauma of having to deal with this horrendous crime. He went on to say that we as the human race have been entrusted to ensure that no harm will come to animals, a responsibility that we should exercise with humaneness and dignity.
He concluded with a warning that dog fighting tears at the moral fibre of society, exhibiting a level of violence that is abhorrent and reprehensible and anyone who wants to trivialise the offence of dogfighting is losing touch with reality.
“After each successful rescue, the animal victims we save need to be cared for, rehabilitated and kept safe while we search for their forever homes. Thanks to the Dogs Trust International who have generously begun funding our ongoing efforts we have been able to improve our kennels to facilitate the dog’s rehabilitation by building a new exercise run which will allow our rescues more time outside to relax and learn how to be real dogs again.”
“We express our heartfelt thanks to you, the warriors against dog fighting, who support us in our endeavours and our success stories possible.”
The National Council of SPCA’s can be found at 6 Clark Road, Florentia, Alberton 011 907 3592 | nspca@nspca.co.za | www.nspca.co.za
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