
DURBAN - Six men have been found guilty of dog fighting and animal cruelty offences and sentenced to prison, the National Council of SPCA's (NSPCA) said on Monday.
"Kamogelo Mpiyane, Tshepo Aubrey Sejabatho, Enos Makhamatha, Jabu Phillip Mabena and Samuel Mashilo Mothiba were all sentenced to two-and-a-half years of direct imprisonment with no part suspended and no option of a fine for owning and keeping fighting dogs, as well as subjecting these dogs to filthy living conditions and denying them medical care," said the NSPCA's Wendy Willson.
Wilson said that Mabena was also sentenced to a further six months for the torture of the dog Mia.
The case was heard at the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court following the rescue of 14 pit bulls last year.
“Mia was kept in a cold, dark room, chained so tightly to the roof rafters above that she couldn’t lie down. She was sick from disease and infected wounds, and was unable to even reach water,” said Wilson.