A man who used a pitbull to intimidate and rob a resident in the Kensington area has been sentenced to six years’ direct imprisonment, with the City of Cape Town lauding its Animal Control Unit (ACU) for helping to secure the conviction.
The incident occurred in July last year, while the victim was sitting in a park in the area.
The suspect initially walked past the complainant with a pitbull before returning moments later and demanding the complainant’s cellphone. The suspect used the dog to intimidate the victim.
Community members later assisted in identifying the suspect, who was known in the area for committing robberies using the dog as a weapon.
The City’s MMC for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says the Animal Control Unit was instructed by the prosecutor in the case to remove the dog from the suspect’s home.
“Despite challenges in locating the suspect at home, officers made multiple attempts before successfully removing the animal, bringing an end to a series of robberies committed in and around Kensington.”
Smith says Pitbulls are not inherently dangerous dogs, but humans turn them into dangerous animals.
“Ensuring there are consequences for owners who cruelly abuse these animals and use them as weapons is key to stopping this destructive culture.”
He has commended the Police and the Animal Control Unit for their persistence and dedication in ensuring the successful removal of the dog and supporting the investigation that led to the conviction and sentencing of the offender.
