Man in court after dog horror

A PROMINENT businessman appeared briefly in the Knysna Magistrate's Court yesterday after allegedly dragging a dog behind his sportscar in Brenton-on- Lake last week.

Police spokesman Captain Bernadine Steyn said the dog – a young female ridgeback called Gina – had been tied to a car with a rope around its neck and dragged behind the vehicle in Galjoen Street on Thursday.

"We can confirm that a criminal case was opened the next day at the Knysna police station," Steyn said.

Residents who saw the horror unfold intervened and managed to stop the torture – and saw to it that the ridgeback received the necessary care.

The dog is being treated at the Knysna Veterinary Clinic.

"We would like to express our sincere thanks to the concerned residents of Brenton-on-Lake who intervened and made sure that the injured dog received the urgent veterinary care she needed," Knysna Animal Welfare Society (Kaws) chairman Maarten van Leeuwen said.

Kaws also managed to ensure that neither Gina nor the 65-year- old owner's other dog – a bull mastiff cross – remained in his care.

"Our staff have tirelessly worked at negotiating and eventually reaching an agreement [with the owner], whereby no dogs will remain on, or be returned to, that property."

The bull mastiff is at Kaws.

"Our main concern at the moment is the wellbeing of Gina and arrangements have been made to ensure that she receives the best after-care possible upon discharge from the clinic."

The case against the owner was postponed to July 11.

In the meantime, the Knysna community has called for "naming and shaming" and swift justice for the man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded. Animal Anti-Cruelty League fieldworker and animal rights activist Patsy Wagner also condemned the incident.

"I often do community education about animal abuse and I explain to people that animals, just like us, feel pain and are also traumatised."

Wagner said she was relieved that the animals were no longer in the owner's care and was positive that justice would be served.

"In this case, we have witnesses who were brave enough to come forward and go to the police." - Yolande Stander