Cape Town - The local branch of the SPCA has welcomed the conviction of a Fish Hoek man for illegally shooting a baboon known as Noskethi in November 2011, saying the decision will reinforce the message that it will definitely lay criminal charges in similar cases.
The adult male from the Da Gama Park troop was paralysed by a bullet and was put down by a vet.
Louis Goosen, who had pleaded not guilty, was convicted in the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday of illegally discharging a firearm in an urban area, and cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act.
Brett Glasby, wildlife unit supervisor of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, said the prosecution and the defence had asked for a light sentence, partly because Goosen was a first-time offender.
On the first charge, he had been declared unfit to own a firearm, and on the second had been cautioned and discharged.
“I would have liked a stiffer sentence, but at least this does send the message: if you are going to be cruel, we will lay charges against you,” Glasby said.
“And it’s really a message that needs to be sent, because there have been several cases lately involving baboons. We’re not afraid to lay charges – the precedent has been set now.”
Although other people had appeared in court before in connection with incidents involving baboons, this was the first conviction he was aware of. - Cape Argus