An alleged puppy seller has been found guilty and sentenced on charges of animal cruelty.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has welcomed the sentencing of Christopher van Rooyen, dubbed the ‘serial puppy seller’ saying this should send out a warning to others.
In February 2019, a manhunt was launched for Van Rooyen who sold a three-week-old puppy with a raw, amputated paw for R200 in the Cape Town CBD.
The couple who bought the dog said they wanted to save it.
He initially wanted R600 for the mutilated puppy, and claimed the tiny dog’s hind paw was damaged by a car.
At the time the SPCA said Van Rooyen had just been released after serving a six-month sentence for animal cruelty.
The SPCA said he sourced the dogs from all over and it was abuse and negligence since the puppies were very young and still needed to drink from their mothers.
They said Van Rooyen “emotionally blackmailed” people into buying vulnerable animals.
He was arrested again following months of surveillance and lobbying by vigilant members of the public and animal rights organisations.
On Friday, he was found guilty on 10 charges of animal cruelty and sentenced in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court to a fine of R1500 or 30 days imprisonment on each count.
SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said their inspectors gave evidence in court on six of the 10 charges against Van Rooyen.
“The Cape of Good Hope SPCA would like to thank all the role players that played a vital role in getting Mr. Van Rooyen successfully convicted.”
She urged the public to not buy pets off the street and to report such incidents to Law Enforcement on 021 596 1999 or the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on 021 700 4158/9.
venecia.america@inl.co.za