Alarm over kids’ role in dog killing

THE SPCA in Kimberley has reacted with shock and outrage at a recent video, reportedly filmed in Donkerhoek, which depicts the “cruellest instance of animal abuse” it has “ever encountered”.

The extremely graphic video depicts a dog being hacked apart with a knife and stabbed with a garden fork by a group of children. The body of a second dog is seen hanging from a tree in the background.

Several voices can be heard in the video - laughing, joking and encouraging the gruesome slaughter of the animal.

Mario van der Westhuizen, from the SPCA in Kimberley, said yesterday that the SPCA had intervened after seeing the extremely violent animal abuse depicted in the video.

“We had never before seen such a violent example of animal abuse,” Van der Westhuizen said.

He added that SPCA inspectors from Johannesburg had travelled to Kimberley immediately after being informed of the video, in order to assist in the investigation into this “extreme case of animal abuse”, while social workers and police were also called in to assist after several children from Donkerhoek, aged 12 to 17 years old, were identified in the video.

“There is a worrying trend of cases like this of extreme animal abuse,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“Young people who make themselves guilty of animal abuse will often go on to more serious and violent crimes, such as murder, rape and assault, when they are older.

“This is extremely worrying and dangerous. This is why we need to educate people about the dangers of animal abuse and curb the escalation into more violent crimes directed at human beings.”

Van der Westhuizen said that during their investigation, it came to light that the children in the video “enjoyed” what they were doing and even laughed and joked about it, which was indicative of “deeper issues” than just animal abuse that needed to be addressed.

He further said that the SPCA would this week visit schools and communities in and around Donkerhoek in an attempt to inform communities, and specifically children, about the dangers of animal abuse and how it could lead to more serious criminal activity.

Van der Westhuizen said that while statements had been obtained from the involved parties, the SPCA would now decide on the way forward with regards to criminal cases being opened against the suspected abusers.

He concluded by urging residents to immediately report animal abuse to the SPCA or police.