Woman sentenced for animal cruelty

2012-02-09 22:46

Johannesburg - A Krugersdorp woman was given a suspended jail sentence on Thursday for failing to get medical help for her injured dog.

Antoinette van Wyk was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for five years, by the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court, animal welfare groups said.

She was given a further 12 months house arrest, the Community Led Animal Welfare (Claw) and International Fund for Animal Welfare said in a joint statement.

"In addition, Van Wyk will have to pay reparation for the veterinary costs incurred trying to save the dog's life after he was rescued. She is banned from ever owning an animal again and may also never own a firearm."

Van Wyk was found guilty of animal cruelty after leaving her pet dog to suffer after one of its back legs had been ripped off, apparently when he was struck by a car.

Claw rescued the animal - a Jack Russell named Jack - in 2009 after a call from Van Wyk's neighbours, who said the dog had been lying in the driveway for at least 24 hours. Medical intervention was, however, too late.

"No words exist to describe the hell that poor little dog went through, while his owner, the person he would have trusted and relied on the most, simply stepped past him as he lay helpless and tortured by pain," said Claw's Cora Bailey, one of the people who found Jack.

"It is yet another example of how the guardian of the dog inexplicably did not accept the responsibility that comes with owning a pet."

- SAPA