NSPCA-Supplied
A man who raped an 11-month old dog was sentenced to eight years in prison after he was found guilty on a charge of bestiality.
The NSPCA says this is a ground-breaking case as it is the most severe sentence ever imposed for animal cruelty in Africa and will set the precedent nationwide.
Executive Director for the NSPCA Marcelle Meredith says they laid criminal charges against Mr M Mofokeng who was literally caught with his pants down on a property in Soweto in November 2020.
She says Mofokeng was apprehended by members of the community and the dog, Moana, was taken to the NSPCA veterinarian.
The presiding officer for the case, the honourable Regional Court Magistrate E van Niekerk, stated in his judgement that a distinction should not be made between the rape of an animal and that of a human.
The Courts, therefore, have a duty to protect the rights of animal victims and impose appropriate sentences to avoid the community from taking matters into their own hands.
"Bestiality is a serious concern in our country. It is a shameful crime that is swept under carpets to protect perpetrators- forgetting that bestiality usually progresses to the abuse of children and eventually other adult human beings at a later stage. The NSPCA winning this case is of extreme significance. We hope that other bestiality cases being heard across the country will follow suit as a precedent has been set, and that animal rapists have been thoroughly cautioned of the consequences. Communities are encouraged to report bestiality. Together with the relentless pursuit of this movement, we can bring this evil to its knees," Meredith added.
Moana has made a full physical recovery.
Meredith says she has been sterilized, vaccinated, microchipped and dewormed.
