'Dog abusers' denied legal aid
01/09/2006 21:42  - (SA)  

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Couple burnt dog 'to punish' Couple burnt dog 'to punish'

Cape Town - The legal aid authorities have refused free representation for a Parow couple who allegedly set their pit bull terrier alight as punishment for jumping a fence.

Bellville regional court prosecutor Stefaan Venter informed the court of this development on Friday when Raymond Koegelenberg, 27, and Shirley Geusteyn, 38, appeared before magistrate JB Swanepoel, charged with cruelty to an animal.

The couple face a second charge, relating to their failure to take their bitch, named Tammy, for urgent veterinary treatment after the alleged incident on June 5.

It is alleged they doused a wooden kennel with paraffin, locked the dog in it and set the kennel alight.

Privately funded lawyer

The dog died of extensive burns to her eyes, legs, belly and face.

When the SPCA arrived on the scene, they removed the couple's other two dogs, a second pit bull and an Alsatian, which are now in the care of the SPCA.

Privately funded lawyer Robert van der Linde, who represented the couple, told the court he needed details of the charges before he could consult his clients.

The case was postponed, and Koegelenberg and Geusteyn, who are out on warning, are expected to appear in court again on September 18.

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