A Tik-Tok Abuser is to face prosecution for allegedly force-feeding a fish with alcohol. That’s according to the National Council of SPCAs. The NSPCA says its officials will lay criminal charges against the individual seen in a recent viral video pouring an alcoholic beverage, suspected to be beer, down the mouth of a common carp. The individual, published as “Lethabo_Sebapo” on TikTok, has been tracked and contacted, and the compilation of a docket is in its final stages.

A Tik-Tok Abuser is to face prosecution for allegedly force-feeding a fish

In the video published by Sebapo, he is seen holding the fish in one hand while pouring the beverage into its mouth. Sebapo is heard laughing and appears entertained throughout the video. Sebapo admitted to the act and stated that his motivation was “fun”.

An alarming increase in videos depicting animal cruelty

Sebapo, who describes himself on TikTok as “fun,” “entrepreneur,” “CEO,” and “innovative,” will face criminal charges under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. Specific charges are about sections 2(1)(a), (n), (q), and (r).

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Communications Manager at the National Council of SPCAs, Jacques Peacock says since the rise of social media platforms like TikTok, the NSPCA has seen an alarming increase in videos depicting animal cruelty. He says much of our Inspectors’ time and resources are now taken up by tracking and investigating the sources of such videos.

Reflects the compassion many South Africans feel for animals

The NSPCA is heartened by the widespread condemnation of Sebapo’s actions, which reflects the compassion many South Africans feel for animals – including fish, who are often overlooked in their capacity for sentience and suffering.

MORE ABOUT: TIK-TOK ABUSER TO FACE PROSECUTION FOR FORCE-FEEDING FISH WITH ALCOHOL

We hope this prosecution will serve as a strong deterrent, discouraging individuals not only from publishing acts of animal cruelty as a form of entertainment but also from committing them in the first place.

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY THE MEDIA TEAM OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SPCAS.