An Odendaalsrus pastor, Andre Jeremia Labuschagne (67), and his wife, Reinette (55), are facing animal cruelty and common assault charges following the vicious attack on Leo the Bull Terrier, that led to his death.
The couple were arrested on 6 September at their residence in Odendaalsrus.
Their first appearance was on 9 September in the Odendaalsrus Magistrates’ Court, with the case postponed to 18 September. They were remanded in custody for confirmation of an alternative address. The case was rescheduled for 25 September. The couple remains in custody.
The horrific assault occurred on 3 September and was captured on CCTV.
“We can confirm that the dog was stabbed several times at a house in Antimoon Street, Odendaalsrus.
“We do not know exactly how many times, but the investigation continues to determine that. The husband is facing an additional charge of common assault,” says Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the Lejweleputswa police.
Thea Smit, chairman of the Virginia SPCA (VSPCA), says according to Tanya Saunders, Leo’s owner, the dog was at the flats where she stayed in Odendaalsrus.
Leo was to be taken to a farm the next day. Saunders said the assault happened when the supervisor of the flats (Labuschagne) wanted Leo to be moved to an empty space or garage. Leo resisted, and that is when the attack on him began. Tanya tried to intervene by putting herself in between Leo and his attacker.
“The assault was brutal. Leo had stab wounds in his mouth, face, neck, everywhere. An animal suffered under the hands of a murderer. Animal cruelty is directly linked with other violent crimes, and domestic violence. This will only go on if society allows it. We will not give up and we will not back down. We want the maximum sentence in this case,” says Smit.
Inspector Ernest Khakhau of the VSPCA says the week following the attack was tough for himself and his team.
“No matter how many cases we do, they always shake us to the core. I would like to thank Col Thenjiwe Mkhumbeni and his team at the Odendaalsrus Police Station. They were swift, professional, and proficient. In all the cases before Leo’s case, the Odendaalsrus police were always ready and willing to execute their jobs,” says Khakhau.
Khakhau says he is grateful to the Blessings Animal Shelter in Welkom for swiftly securing Leo’s body after they received the call.
“Particularly Kingsley Nkala. Leo died a violent and untimely death. We will not give up until this journey is done. I will not miss one court date. We will see this through,” said Khakhau.
