Durban: The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has clarified that a Free State couple, charged with contravening the Animals Protection Act, were sentenced to pay a fine or face a prison sentence of six months.
It had initially been reported that Paul and Doortjie Kruger, from Winnie Mandela (formerly Brandfort), who were charged in September 2024, had been sentenced to pay a fine of R3000 and six months of direct imprisonment.
The couple were charged after the Bloemfontein SPCA found 12 toy Pomeranian and Yorkshire Terrier dogs on their property in poor condition.
The NPA clarified this week that the sentence was a fine of R3000 or six months’ imprisonment, not both.
NPA Bloemfontein spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane confirmed: “Both accused were sentenced as follows - Each accused was fined R3 000 or six months of direct imprisonment.”
The couple opted to pay the fine, thereby avoiding imprisonment.
In a statement last month, the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) said that the dogs had suffered from untreated illnesses, severe dental issues, skin conditions and parasite infestations. Some were severely underweight, with one dog showing signs of heart failure, the organisation said.
The statement said Inspector Duan Matthee, who handled the case, seized the dogs and they were transported to the Bloemfontein SPCA for care. It was further said that the couple had initially refused the inspector access to their property and later attempted to obstruct the seizure by opening the dogs' cages.
Speaking to The Mercury, Doortjie Kruger alleged that the NSPCA exaggerated the case details.
“The condition of the dogs was not as bad as they claimed. Two dogs had an allergic reaction to a dip we used as a substitute when our regular product was unavailable. This was not intentional neglect,” she said.
She admitted opening the kennels but said it was not to help the dogs escape.
She said the dogs had become agitated because they felt threatened and she had opened the kennels to allow them to calm down.
Kruger also denied the claim that the dogs were underfed.
She also raised concerns about the treatment of their seized dogs, alleging that many of them were euthanised soon after being taken.
Regarding the sentence, she maintained that they were only fined.
“We paid the R3 000 fine and went home. There was no imprisonment involved,” Kruger added.
Asked about Kruger’s comments, the NSPCA said: “We confirm that the both accused were sentenced to a fine of R3000 or six months' imprisonment. Therefore, the sentence included direct imprisonment, which was not suspended. The accused elected to pay the fine, which was subsequently clarified with the State Prosecutor.
“In respect of Ms Kruger’s allegations regarding the merits of the matter, it is quite clear: a court of law found both accused guilty of contravening the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and they were accordingly sentenced. If the circumstances were as described by Ms Kruger, they accused would have been acquitted.”