Police officer faces serious charges for neglecting boerboels in South Africa
Police officer faces serious charges for neglecting boerboels in South Africa
A police officer has breached one of society’s most fundamental and caring protections, the humane treatment of animals, resulting in the confiscation of two boerboels and a third dog, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Despite several warnings from Cape of Good Hope SPCA Inspector Rowan Davids, the officer continued to abuse the dogs, resulting in the Wynberg Magistrates Court issuing a warrant to remove three of them.
The officer, a member of the South African Police Services (SAPS), was repeatedly told to seek veterinary treatment for his underweight male boerboel and to improve the inhumane conditions in which the boerboel and another dog on the property were kept – on static chains.
Over the course of 12 days, the SPCA issued four warnings, giving the officer plenty of opportunity to respond. Unfortunately, he opted to continue neglecting his animals above fulfilling his legal and moral obligations to care for them.
With no other options, Davids, accompanied by City of Cape Town Law Enforcement, executed the warrant and entered the premises.
There they discovered an underweight male boerboel tied at the back of the property, a free-roaming female boerboel, and an X-breed dog chained in the front.
‘It is devastating when those entrusted with enforcing the law are the ones who so blatantly disregard it,’ said Davids. ‘This officer had multiple opportunities to do the right thing, but all he did was allow these animals to continue suffering’.
All three animals were evacuated and are now under the care of the SPCA.
The male boerboel, a breed that generally weighs about 55 kg, was admitted to the SPCA’s animal hospital weighing only 30 kg.
His recuperation will be long, but he is in capable hands with the SPCA’s veterinary team, as is the female boerboel, who was diagnosed with a chronic ear infection upon admission.
The officer is now facing significant charges under the Animals Protection Act, No. 71 of 1962. If convicted, he faces up to 12 months in prison and/or an R40 000 fine.
His actions – or lack thereof – not only violate animal welfare rules, but he also fails to fulfil his public obligation to safeguard vulnerable populations, including animals.
Animal cruelty can occur anywhere, including among people sworn to uphold the law, but the SPCA is dedicated to animal protection regardless of who the culprit is.
As Davids says: ‘No one is above the law when it comes to the welfare of animals’.
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