Dog killers jailed

News24 Africa Jul - 12 - 2016 , 09:02

Four men who used a stray dog as "bait" to train dogs for fighting were sentenced to a total of two years’ imprisonment, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) disclosed on Monday in Pretoria, South Africa.

The Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court sentenced Khutso Kopanye, Reginald Khoza, Neo Dichabe, and Reabetswe Sikhala to between four to 10 months in jail without the option of a fine, the NSPCA said in a statement.

The stray was mauled to death almost two years ago.

Inspector Nadia Hansa said the organisation was happy with the sentences.

“We believe justice was served today.”

At the time, video footage showed the prolonged suffering of the terrified street dog. Duct tape was used to keep her mouth shut.

She was dragged along by a chain while another powerful dog was set on her. The dog was used as bait in three training fights on one day.

“When she was so injured and weak that she was of no further use to the callous dog fighters, they let her final attacker maul her to death.

“To the NSPCA she is a symbol of the horrendous so-called training process and the lifetime of suffering of all dogs forced into the criminal world of dog fighting in whatever way,” Hansa said.