Pet owner convicted after dogs left in his car for five days die

The pet owner was sentenced to complete more than 300 hours of community service at the SPCA in Bloemfontein after leaving his dogs to die in his car.

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SPCA WELCOMES CONVICTION OF PET OWNER

IOL reports that the SPCA has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of the pet owner who left his two dogs in his car for five days.

Bloemfontein residents spotted two Dachshunds trapped in a car from 10 October to 15 October 2021 and contacted Inspector Werner Botha.

The SPCA reveals that residents informed the inspector that the dogs were in the car in a 30 to 35 degrees weather and died from severe dehydration and heat stroke.

The court found the owner of the dogs, Marco Terblanche unfit to own or be in charge of any animal for the rest of his life.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended on the condition that all aspects of the correctional supervision be adhered to.

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WHY THE DOGS WERE IN THE CAR

The SPCA revealed that Marco Terblanche left his dogs in his car on a Sunday after drinking a large amount of alcohol.

“He, as a result of his intoxication, could not remember where the vehicle was parked and as a result, the two Dachshunds passed away.”

Inspector Botha adds that the dogs tried to find shelter out of the 35-degree heat by hiding behind a TV and a portrait to find some relief from the direct sunlight.

“I can’t think of a crueller way to die, than by being trapped in a hot car without food and water with no way to escape. Slowly dying after five days must be terrifying,” added the inspector.

Terblanche was found guilty of five counts of animal cruelty under the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962.

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