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A Manhunt is underway in George after a resident was allegedly seen "raping" a three-month-old puppy that died after sustaining severe injuries during the attack.
The man is also suspected of having sex with his neighbour's dog more than a week ago.
Garden Route SPCA inspector Henrico Pypers responded to a call from a resident last week who claimed that someone had "raped her puppy" in Golden Valley Blanco.
When Pypers arrived on the scene, the suspect ran off. "I was in a SPCA branded vehicle and when he saw the bakkie, he started running. I chased after him, but he disappeared," said Pypers.
The woman told the inspector that she knew something horrifying had happened to her three-month-old puppy when she found the dog curled up and traumatised in her cage.
"She took the dog to a neighbour to find out if she knew what had happened. The neighbour told her that she saw the suspect having sex with the dog. They then phoned the police who told them to phone us [the SPCA]."
Pypers said the dog was then taken to a local veterinarian who did a number of tests, including DNA tests. "The DNA tests will help the police with their investigation into the matter. We are however still waiting for the results"
Although the dog received treatment, it died a few hours after the incident. "A post-mortem also revealed that the dog had been chocked during the attack."
Pypers said when he found the dog it could not move and was clearly in a lot of pain.
"After taking the dog to the vet, I also took the women to the local police station where they gave statements about what happened."
Police spokeswoman Captain Bernadine Steyn confirmed that police were now investigating two cases of bestiality following the incidents in Blanco. "Nobody has been arrested yet and the investigation continues," said Steyn.
Pypers said despite the horrific nature of the attack, this type of complaints were not uncommon. "We often receive complaints about bestiality and similar animal abuse, but it is so difficult to catch the perpetrator without an eyewitness or DNA evidence linking the suspect to the crime. In the latest case the matter was brought to our attention swiftly and we could do the tests. We also have someone who saw the attack."
Pypers said if the suspect was convicted he could face imprisonment or a hefty fine.
He added the incident had sent shockwaves through the community. "Not only is the owner, who called us in tears, very upset but the community is finding it difficult to understand how someone could be so cruel to an animal."
He added that studies have shown that serial killers often had a history of animal abuse. "No normal person can do such a thing to a defenceless animal."
The George incidents come just days after a woman was convicted of bestiality by the Pretoria Regional Court after admitting she had sex with two dogs on four occasions.
She claimed she was manipulated by her former boyfriend Morne Fourie who had fantasised about bestiality. In October he will appear on charges of distributing bestiality-related pornography as well as creating and distributing child pornography.
If anyone has information that could assist the police with their investigation, Warrant Officer Martin Borg can be contacted on 044 803 4616 or 076 864 3633
