Things are looking up for Scar, the dog who was sadistically baited to face the brutal onslaught of eight other dogs.
He is recovering well at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s animal hospital.
His abusers, two minors, were caught in the act and arrested last Saturday (26 May) in Joostenbergvlakte after they goaded a group of eight dogs to fight Scar as he was tied to a tree with an electrical lead. Volunteers from local animal rescue group Dead Animals Walking, whose property is adjacent to the field where it happened, heard his desperate screams and ran to save him.
They apprehended the minors and tried to contain the dogs while waiting for the police and the SPCA.
In the meantime they rushed Scar to the Tygerberg Animal Hospital, from where he was later transported to the SPCA’s animal hospital. He was treated for multiple puncture wounds on his body and face and multiple scars, old and new, were found on his body.
Recovery
The SPCA caught six of the dogs while two ran away.
“The two suspects, both minors, were arrested on charges of animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act and were taken into the custody of the Kraaifontein police. The six dogs, essentially victims too, and a badly injured Scar were seized by Inspector Lee Prins in terms of the Animals Protection Act and criminal charges were laid. The Child Justice Act aims to set up a child justice system specifically for children in conflict with the law. In terms of this act, children over the age of 14 have criminal capacity and can be arrested,” the SPCA later stated.
“Although he is still visibly traumatised after his ordeal he is doing so much better. His wounds have been tended to and he is warm and comfortable. And a little bit of love is going a long way towards mending his broken heart too. His road to recovery will be expensive and we don’t only need to settle the account with the private practice that treated him, we also have the costs of his ongoing care and the costs related to prosecution. We’re also striving to create a society where empathy and respect for all beings is instilled in the hearts of children. Through education, we can break the cycle of cruelty and ensure that animals do not suffer at the hands of children.”
The SPCA will continue to press charges and take the case to court and Scar will be put up for adoption once the court case has concluded.
