The couple accused of abusing a seven-month-old boxer puppy named Hector appeared in the Hermanus Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 29 March.
The suspects, Nazeem Salies and Natasha Koekemoer, face charges of animal cruelty after they were caught on camera hitting and throwing the boxer puppy while they were petsitting him.
Salies and Koekemoer are accused of abusing Hector the puppy
Hector’s owners are being represented by Van Niekerk and Jansen van Rensburg Attorneys pro bono. The accused couple have no legal representation so the case was postponed to 26 April for further investigation – and for them to find legal representation. Both Salies and Koekemoer were released with a stern warning until the next court appearance.
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The video – showing Salies hitting the puppy several times with an object, then grabbing him violently and throwing him out of the house – was first circulated on Facebook by Hector’s owners as a warning to others who make use of the alleged abusers’ petsitting services.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA viewed the recording and conducted an investigation into the incident. In a Facebook post, they conclude: “Our team travelled to Hermanus from Cape Town to investigate the matter. The charges have now formally been opened at Hermanus South African Police Services (SAPS). We will be further assisting SAPS and the prosecution with the case to ensure that justice is served for Hector.”
Van Niekerk and Jansen van Rensburg Attorneys have been inundated with offers to contribute toward the legal costs of Hector’s family and they have graciously redirected these requests to assistance for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
“We will be showing our support to Hector and his family by setting up a Mobile Donation Station for all dog food, blanket and toy donations,“ said the attorneys.
Monetary donations can still be made to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA here:
BANK: Standard Bank
BRANCH: Constantia 025309 / 051001 (internet banking)
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 071832858
ACCOUNT TYPE: Cheque
BENEFICIARY REFERENCE: Hector
READ MORE: SPCA investigates puppy abuse
