According to Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse, on Thursday inspectors and officers of the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement apprehended a 17-year-old suspect and his accomplice after video of a cat being abused was sent to the SPCA.
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The video was commonly distributed on social networks.
Pieterse said once they got the video, with restricted details on the suspect, they introduced a manhunt to trace the criminal.
“The SPCA chose to go public with the video for the general public to come forward with details that might result in the arrest of the offender.
“The SPCA received several leads that enabled the team, with the assistance of the City’s Law Enforcement, to arrest the suspect and his accomplice,” Pieterse said.
In the video, a 17-year-old young boy can be seen getting a little cat and revealing an empty package of chips.
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He is heard stating: “This is what happens when you eat all my chips up. Chips is up, he’s also gonna go up”.
The cat is unexpectedly tossed by the teen like a rugby ball into air. The defenseless cat is sent flying over a close-by roof.
The specific shooting the occurrence in addition to the teen can be heard chuckling after the occurrence.
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The teen then ends off by stating: “nou is hy ook op (now he is always up)”.
The teen and his 18-year-old friend who shot the occurrence were apprehended, and are being charged with animal ruthlessness in regards to the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.
“I am really delighted with the determination of our group in discovering the perpetrators.
“We are incredibly grateful to the general public for their help with supplying details that caused this arrest.
“We are also very grateful for the swift support we received from the City of Cape Town. We will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served,” Pieterse said.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith, said seeing the video was scary and it was difficult to think that such a harsh act might be caused upon a powerless animal.
“It is a growing issue how the constant direct exposure to violence within society desensitizes our youth, where in turn, it drives them to cause discomfort and suffering onto others.
“In this exact same way, arranged gangs present the terrible sport of dog-fighting to our youth, in order to develop a sensation of supremacy among those who have the ability to trigger the most injury and damage
“It’s a vicious cycle that requires the whole of society to bring about needed change. It is with our utmost gratitude that the SPCA was able to react so quickly in the pursuit of justice.
“We will continue providing support where needed and recognize their value in animal welfare,” Smith said.
The suspects are anticipated to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court quickly.
According to Pieterse, the cat, a young male of about a years of age made it through the occurrence and was taken into the care of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA where he is getting a complete medical exam and care.
It was later revealed the cat’s name is Kittie and will stay in the care of the SPCA till the case has actually been concluded.
The SPCA has actually prompted the general public to report cases of animal ruthlessness to the inspectorate on the 24-hour call centre on 021 700 4158/9 or 083 326 1604. Alternatively, an email can be sent to: [email protected]
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