The Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) in Gqeberha has confiscated both dogs owned by a Beachview man following the alleged abuse of one of the animals.
The AACL is also preparing a docket to hand over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The organisation launched an investigation last week after Jacques Fleetwood was seen grabbing his three-year-old Yorkshire Terrier by the scruff of the neck and flinging it onto the back of his bakkie after the dog had jumped out of the stationary vehicle.
A CCTV clip of the incident outside SPAR Seaview on August 20, went viral on social media, drawing criticism from other concerned dog lovers over the act.
In the video, after flinging the dog, Fleetwood was seen getting into a spat with onlookers berating him over the rough handling of his pet.
On Wednesday, the AACL published a statement on Facebook stating it had since removed the abused dog and another owned by Fleetwood from his care.
The Herald understands the pets are being kept at an animal safehouse in the city.
AACL spokesperson Karien van Schalkwyk said a warrant was applied for and authorised by a magistrate in terms of the Animal Protection Act, leading to the seizure.
“The warrant was executed and the dogs were seized,” Van Schalkwyk said.
“A criminal docket was opened [after] we laid charges for [contravention of] the Act.
We’re compiling and finalising the contents of the docket.
“From there, the investigating officer will submit the docket to an NPA prosecutor for a decision on whether to place the matter on the court roll.”
Van Niekerk said the AACL believed in its case despite the long-drawn nature of the courts before a trial.
“We believe the matter will be enrolled,” she said.
“The criminal justice system is overburdened, and our matters take two to five years to reach trial stage.
“Last week, we obtained two convictions in two matters dating back to 2018.
“Unfortunately, how quickly cases are enrolled is not in our control.
“The court can rule at the end of the matter that any accused be declared unfit to possess animals or a certain species of animals and for which period in line with the Act.”
When contacted to comment on the matter, Fleetwood declined on the instruction of his lawyer, but said he had been left “heartbroken”.
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