Probe as dog is shot
SLAIN: Rylands brak SLAIN: Rylands brak
The SPCA is investigating after a brakkie was shot dead “in cold blood” at a retail store in Rylands on Friday.
Witnesses say the dog was shot by a man in a white bakkie while customers and staff were leaving the Rylands Village shopping centre.
They say the brakkie, who had been barking for a while, was killed in the parking lot by an irate man.
Fowzia Veerasamy, chairwoman of the Sector 1 Community Policing Forum (CPF) in Rylands, has slammed Athlone cops for making no arrest.
“They just don’t care. My members told me police said it was just a dog and that no rules or laws have been broken,” she said.
“However, taking your gun out in a residential area is illegal. The officers on duty do not want to do manual labour. They took no statements.
“A cop picked up a bullet casing with his van key and threw it aside,” she claims.
Belinda Abraham, Cape of Good Hope SPCA manager, says the incident will be investigated.
“For a dog to be killed in this manner for exhibiting a natural behaviour is blatant cruelty deserving of investigation by the relevant authorities,” said Abraham.
She said a society that didn’t care for its animals was more inclined to violence.
“Essentially those capable of cruelty to animals are more likely to commit violent crimes within their communities.
“The SPCA will investigate this incident and will not hesitate to charge those who perpetrate crimes against animals,” Abraham said.
Police did not respond to queries.