A man has been sentenced to five years probation and fined R2 000 fine for killing a dog in Calitzberg.
Dee Hazel from the Karoo Animal Protection Society in Barrydale, said she and many other animal activists thought the sentence was appropriate.
“We feel that it was a heavy sentence and it is great vindication for dog activists. We are very happy about the outcome because at times there are no repercussions for animal killers.”
The man was found guilty of malicious damage to property and animal cruelty, for which he was sentenced to five years probation. This means if he commits any other crime in that period, he would spend up to 18 months in jail.
Last month, a chilling video emerged of a group of children, some as young as 7, taking delight in torturing at dog and stoning it to death.
Several of the children gleefully say: “You are going to die,” repeatedly before beginning the assault on the stray dog, who is kicked and hung from a tree, before being pelted with rocks and concrete.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspectors identified the children and charges of animal cruelty were laid.
Spokeswoman Tara McGovern said the incident happened in Manenberg, Cape Town.
In the video eight children, aged between 7 and 17, are seen dragging a dog by a rope around his neck to a secluded area. They are accompanied by a pitbull, which they set on the stray dog while repeatedly kicking it. When it is unable to kill the stray, they hang it from a tree before stoning it to death.