(File photo)
A Limpopo resident has been fined R2,000 or sentenced to 30 days in jail for smoking a bong (a water pipe used to consume cannabis) that contained a live snake.
Describing the incident as a “deplorable act of brutality”, the National SPCA Council (NSPCA) said it received complaints about the video circulating on social media early last year.
“Inside, a young man is seen showing a jar containing a live snake,” it reads. “If you look closely, you can see a thin tube sticking out of the lid of the bottle, and you can also see what looks like a rolled cigarette.”
In the video, the man begins teasing the snake, then lights a cigarette and inhales the smoke that collects in the bottle.
“For the rest of the video, the jar containing the live snake remains filled with smoke. It is believed that the man was smoking cannabis and exposing the snake to a psychoactive substance.”
The NSPCA's Wildlife Conservation Division immediately launched an investigation into those responsible.
“It is unthinkable that someone would subject a live animal to this type of behavior and our inspectors have confirmed that the man seen in the video has been identified and will be charged with breaching various sections of the Animal Protection Act. I was adamant that it would be.”
After following a series of leads, Senior National Inspector General Duane Massey tracked down the culprit in the video, identifying him as Dirk de Jager from Modjadjiskloof, Limpopo.
Massey prosecuted De Jager, who was arrested in August last year.
Douglas Wolfter, Division of Wildlife Conservation Manager, said: email and guardian De Jager was charged with violating several provisions of the Animal Protection Act.
“They say the snake has been released. But we can't say that with absolute certainty.”
On October 29, De Jager pleaded guilty and was sentenced in Kgapane Magistrate's Court. The guilty plea resulted in a R2,000 fine or a suspended sentence of 30 days in prison, provided Mr de Jager is not found guilty of the same offenses he committed while on probation.
The NSPCA said it was appalled by Mr de Jager's actions.
“It was reprehensible that anyone could take part in an act like this, let alone videotape it and spread it on social media. could be prosecuted.”
“While we are disappointed in the lightness of the sentence, we are grateful that he is facing the consequences of his actions, including a criminal record…We are confident that de Jager's case will help others I sincerely hope that others will be dissuaded from engaging in this type of horrendous behavior.” Added.
