Lentswe, Jouberton - The NSPCA said last week that they will always fight for the rights of animals, even if the animal is “as big as an elephant or small as a rat’’. This comes after a Jouberton man was arrested following the circulation of a video on social media depicting the abuse of an animal. The video shows a live rat trapped in a cage while boiling water is poured over the animal. The individual filming the incident can be heard laughing and mocking the animal’s suffering, while the animal frantically tries to escape. Inspectors from the NSPCA’s Special Projects Unit confirmed that they traced the individual to Jouberton and opened the case at Jouberton SAPS.
According to the NSPCA, the man was arrested and charged with animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act.
The NSPCA warned members of the public not to share content depicting animal abuse, as this can further normalise and amplify harm.
“Rather report it directly to the relevant social media platform and to the NSPCA to allow for prompt investigation and intervention.’’
The NSPCA received mixed reactions when information about the arrest was published on Klerksdorp Record’s Facebook page.
Thabo Mokeki said the man must also open a case against the rat for trespassing, because “surely the man did not invite the rat in to his home’’. Tshepo Manch Kopane asked the NSPCA to come and remove a rat from his home “before I kill it just the way that man did’’. Mignonne Moolman said people who abuse animals are only a step away from abusing humans. “He did not kill the rat swiftly and humanely, the issue is not with him killing the rat but rather the fact that he tortured it.’’
