Two pitbulls were removed from a house in Thaba Nchu after one was violently attacked by her owner when she stole a piece of meat from a braai.
Werner Botha, inspector from the Bloemfontein SPCA, said they received complaints on 9 August about a dog owner who beat and cut open the head of one of his dogs at a braai at home on Sunday, 6 August.
“We went out to the residence on Wednesday and found the two pitbulls there, one with extremely large lacerations across her head with wounds piecing the skin and muscle tissue.”
He said the owner stated that he felt embarressed by the dog taking the meat. He said he got so mad and hit the dog with a bottle until the bottle broke on her head.
The living conditions of the dogs was shocking with the dogs being kept in a small back area of 3 x 3 meters. The entire area was covered in old urine stains and faecal matter.
“We as a society need to have an honest conversation with one another about dog ownership, We are eager to blame the breed or victim but fail to remind ourselves that the responsibility of pet ownership and animal husbandry falls solely on the pet owner. The blatant arrogance of this individual to feel he was warranted to punish a dog so severely for a piece of meat, speaks volumes of his moral compass and ability to keep a power breed,” said Botha.
The badly wounded dog had to be put down.
A case of animal cruelty was opened in Thaba Nchu and the suspect will appear in the magister court soon.
“The Bloemfontein SPCA is hopeful to secure a criminal conviction and declare him unfit to own pitbulls and other animals,” Botha said.
Botha said the other dog is held for safety untill the end of trail.
