A Pretoria woman accused of having sex with two dogs is to undergo a mental assessment on Friday as part of the investigations into her alleged involvement in bestiality.
The petite blonde 31-year-old from Moreleta Park was released on R1 000 bail on Thursday after a brief appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
She faces four counts of bestiality and one of animal cruelty.
She was arrested on Wednesday following a complaint from an animal protection organisation.
It is alleged that the organisation received home-made video footage of Smit having sex with a Staffordshire terrier (staffie) and a Labrador.
Clutching a small red Gideon’s Bible in her right hand, she told the court she was unemployed and wanted to apply for Legal Aid.
The court heard from investigating officer Warrant Officer Andre Nel that the woman had been sent for a medical check-up following her arrest.
Nel told the court the State did not oppose bail. However, it required that the woman to undergo a mental assessment, he said.
“Due to the nature of the investigation there is no need to keep her in custody.”
Magistrate Maryke de la Rey told the woman she had to report on Friday to the Moot police station, from which she would be taken to the district surgeon for a mental assessment.
The State indicated that it would take four weeks for the contents of the woman’s laptop and cellphone to be downloaded and checked.
The case was postponed to October 10.
The woman and the man accompanying her - who paid her bail - covered their faces with a Pretoria News newspaper to avoid photographers.
NSPCA managing director Rick Allen could not be reached for comment, but an NSPCA employee, who did not want to be named, said the woman’s Labrador had been removed from her care and was being kept at the Watloo NSPCA.
He said it was suspected that the Staffordshire cross-breed belonged to a neighbour, but he could not confirm this.
Dogs that had been subjected to sexual abuse could be rehabilitated and were put down only if they are seriously injured, he said.
“The Labrador is a lovely dog and does not seem to be traumatised or hurt. He will be put up for adoption,” said the employee.
Pretoria News