⚠ ATTENTION: 😢 The following images could be distressing for sensitive viewers.
A man has been arrested and a case of cruelty to animals has been opened by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA after shocking footage emerged of a dog being restrained and strangled to death with a rope.
On the 15th of March 2024, The Cape of Good Hope SPCA received a report accompanied by upsetting video footage showing a dog named Olaf being subjected to unimaginable cruelty.
In the video, Olaf is seen struggling under a thick blanket as attempts were likely made to smother her and then with a rope around her neck, thrashing, gagging and gasping for air while being forcefully restrained by a man. The desperate pleas of her carers did nothing to dissuade him and by the end of the video, a limp Olaf appears to be dead.
Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse says “Even as a seasoned Inspector, the video was hard to watch, no animal deserves to suffer like that. She must’ve been terrified, confused and in agony”.
Olaf was rushed to Helderberg Animal Welfare Society but was sadly declared dead on arrival. Her body was collected by the SPCA and a post-mortem conducted by an expert veterinary pathologist confirmed that she died as a result of injuries consistent with strangulation.
The man, whose identity cannot be revealed until he has appeared in court, was apprehended with the assistance of the Strand South African Police Services this morning, April 3, 2024.
Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse says “he is expected to appear in court tomorrow, where he will likely seek bail, something the SPCA will strongly oppose”.
Shockingly, the suspect has allegedly been entrusted with curatorship over Olaf’s owner’s affairs. As he prepares to face justice, we’re left reflecting on the profound responsibility we hold towards our furry companions.
“Please ensure that appropriate provisions are made for the care of your pets by compassionate persons who would care for them as you would should you ever become unable to do so yourself” says Belinda Abraham, Spokesperson for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
Olaf by all accounts was well cared for and described by those caring for her to be gentle and loving.
“Olaf was loved, it could never have been her owner’s wish for her to die like that and that makes this incident all the more heartbreaking,” says Abraham.
