SPCA offering reward after gruesome animal cruelty video surfaces

A REWARD of R6 000 is being offered for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of a knife-wielder who partnered an accomplice in stabbing a dog to death in Khayelitsha.

The incident, in which the knifewielder is seen on video stabbing the dog multiple times while his accomplice pins it down, happened in full view of residents.

The brief and chilling video clip, in which the accomplice also adds a few parting stabs of his own to dying dog “Benjie”, was emailed to the Cape Times by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in Grassy Park.

SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said the R6000 reward comprised a R5000 donation from the SPCA and R1000 from animal lover Ellen Fedele.

Abraham said people coming forward with information would be assured anonymity and that the SPCA never reveals the names of complainants.

“Extreme violence against animals is becoming an all too common occurrence in South Africa. As a society we have to step up and demand that our courts serve higher sentences against abusers before more animals like Benjie suffer similar or worse fates,” she added.

She said an SPCA inspectorate team identified one of the perpetrators and laid animal cruelty charges in terms of the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962 against Sihle Mbambo. He was released on R500 bail. Fedele said: “The video of the slaughter is so disturbing that I was advised not to look at it. Our society is lacking in empathy and sympathy with the most vulnerable – the aged, children and animals. Some punishment needs to be meted out to the perpetrators.”

Anyone with information is requested to approach SAPS Khayelitsha and quote Case Number 529/05/2018, said the SPCA.