- A Bultfontein man who forced a rinkals and a puffadder to fight fined R4 000
- He was charged and found guilty under the Animal Protection Act
- The judge stressed that animal cruelty and abuse are serious crimes
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Horrifying video footage on Facebook of an induced fight between a rinkals and a puffadder, has led to a Bultfontein man being sentenced to a criminal conviction of R4 000 or 9 months in jail.
For Johan Dippenaar (47) from Bultfontein his abusing two snakes and a rat did not rend very well for him.
“This is indeed a victory for the most underrepresented and persecuted creatures of them all. In March 2022, Virginia SPCA received video material, that was circulating on social media, depicting Dippenaar’s abusive actions,” says Thea Smith of the Virginia SPCA.
She says Dippenaar had caught the two snakes, and in addition to keeping them in conditions that compromised their well-being, he had chosen to torture the animals in a brutal attempt to get the snakes to fight each other, the prize was a rat also caught and held captive.
Inspector Ernest Khakhau of the Virginia SPCA, known as the champion for animal rights, immediately took action.
He charged Dippenaar under the Animal Protection Act, and trial proceedings spanned over 9 months.
Dippenaar was found guilty on 7 June and was sentenced in the Bultfontein Court.
Before sentencing, honorable magistrate Marlize Coetzee stressed that animal cruelty and abuse are serious crimes and must be acted on.
“During trial, Dippenaar claimed to be a snake catcher who ‘rescued’ snakes in Bultfontein and the surrounding areas.
However, State Advocate Antoinette Ferreira and the testimonies of Inspector Khakhau, Johannesburg Wildlife Hospital herpetologist, Grant Fairley and DESTEA Inspector André Schlemmer proved that Dippenaar was not only not in possession of a permit nor was he qualified, but that he tortured the animals purely for his own entertainment and to gain following on social media,” says Smit.
Coetzee stressed that when people call a snake rescuer, they expect that person to be qualified and permitted and to look after and release the snake.
In addition to Dippenaar’s punishment, she prohibited him from being in possession of any snakes.
“This is a reminder to everyone that all animals matter.”
Smit says the Virginia SPCA is very grateful for the assistance of State Prosecutor, Advocate Antoinette Ferreira, Prosecutor Hanlie Liebenberg, the Bultfontein Court, SAPS Bultfontein, Grant Fairley, Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, Wendy Wilson and André Schlemmer from DESTEA. Collaborated actions are successful actions. Well done, Insp. Ernest Khakau.”
