Cape Town - The Cape of Good Hope (CoGH) SPCA says it has lodged a criminal complaint against the suspect accused of shooting and killing a chacma baboon in Bel Ombre, Constantia.
The organisation said it had lodged complaints under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, relating to the “horrific suffering” the baboon experienced, in addition to charges under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 for the use of a firearm in a residential area and the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974 for the unlawful hunting of a protected species.
“A full post-mortem was also conducted at the SPCA where a penetrating wound to the baboon’s chest was found and a small calibre bullet was removed from the muscle adjacent to the spine.
“The bullet had penetrated the lobe of the baboon’s right lower lung. The examination also found several pellets – believed to have been fired from an airgun rifle (better known as a pellet gun) – in various parts of the animal’s body,” the organisation said.
SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse said the baboon was euthanised.
“To cause any animal such horrific suffering is inexcusable. The bullet penetrated her lung and she was lying on the road gasping for air when we found her.
Even though we were alerted to the shooting, we were shocked to find her like that,” said Pieterse.
“The severity of the trauma she experienced and the area of injury made euthanasia the most humane option,” added Pieterse.
The CoGH SPCA thanked NCC Environmental Solutions for their assistance in the matter.
Beauty Without Cruelty said it would donate an R8 000 reward which would be used for information leading to an arrest, to assist with the forensic or legal costs against the offender.
The animal rights organisation’s spokesperson, Toni Brockhoven, said: “Beauty Without Cruelty had offered an R8 000 reward for any witness directly leading to an arrest, however forensics was in fact the reason that charges have been laid, according to the SPCA.
“The reward will now be donated to assist with the forensic or legal costs against the offender.”
Cape Times