A Boerboel dog breeder from Hartenbos in the Western Cape has been sentenced after he was found guilty of cruelty and abuse to animals.
Plaasweg Boerboels breeding farm owner, Lionel Marais, appeared in the Mossel Bay Magistrates Court on the 14th of February, after he was found guilty of three counts of cruelty and abuse to animals, as per the Animals Protection Act (APA) 71 of 1962 in July 2024.
These included the unlawful and intentional withholding of water and food from the dogs; the maiming of dogs; and the failure to provide adequate veterinary treatment for all dogs.
This comes after inspectors from the George branch of the Garden Route SPCA responded to a complaint of extreme neglect and cruelty at the breeding farm in May 2022.
During the inspection, sixty-eight severely neglected Boerboels were found on the property. According to the SPCA, seven of the dogs were in such pain and distress that they had to be humanely euthanised immediately to end their suffering.
“Most of the dogs were emaciated and dehydrated and had been subjected to “tail docking” or maiming, whereby their tails had been removed – an extremely painful and illegal practice. The dogs were crammed into tiny enclosures surrounded by electric fencing, many with inadequate shelter and little to no bedding.”
When questioned, Marais admitted that none of the dogs received veterinary treatment for more than four months, despite suffering from injuries and illnesses. Many of the illnesses were caused by inadequate nutrition and inbreeding.
“After four postponements and more than three years of relentless pursuit by the Garden Route SPCA, justice has finally been served.”
On 14 February, the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court sentenced Lionel Marais to a fine of R50,000 or twelve months in prison, with R20,000 or six months of the sentence suspended for three years, provided Marais does not re-offend within that period.
The Garden Route SPCA welcomed the victory for animal welfare and added that they will have no tolerance for those who exploit and abuse animals for profit.
The non-profit organization added that this case should serve as yet another example of the total disregard many breeders have for the animals and how the SPCA is left to deal with the suffering and consequences.
“Our team was left to pick up the pieces… We treated their wounds, we spent time with them, and we tried to restore their faith in mankind,” says Garden Route SPCA’s Senior Inspector Cheri Cooke
Marais’ sentence takes effect immediately, and he has been ordered to pay his fines directly to the Garden Route SPCA. While most of the dogs could not be saved due to the extent of their abuse, the SPCA says it was able to rehabilitate and rehome some of the dogs to loving families, where they finally received the care and kindness they deserve.
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