Soweto’s Animal Hero Needs Our Help to Find Animal Abuser from Shocking Video

A reward of R5,000 is being offered for any information which might lead to the identification and arrest of a suspect who has been captured on a video – currently circulating on social media – which shows a man cruelly beating up a dog and throwing it mercilessly against a hard rock surface.

Much of the reward money has been offered by concerned South African citizens on Soweto Animal Rescue and Advisory Centre’s (SARAC’s) page.

SARAC’s founder – and animal hero – Jerry Selwane said: “We appeal to any member of the public who might know of the identity of the suspect to contact our anonymous and confidential number on 0849119459 with any information which could lead to his arrest.

“We are confident that he will soon be captured and the dog saved. Please Share far and wide – finally someone, either a friend, neighbour, brother, sister, cousin, enemy, etc might recognise him.”

Jerry added a “Special Thanks to all our supporters for putting up the Reward”.

According to Tania le Roux, Personnel Practitioner at South African Police Services (SAPS), nobody is sure who made the video. “Our Inspector received it through a network of different people. We only know it happened in Limpopo. We are hoping that someone will recognise the house and surroundings to lead us to the perpetrator.” 

Jerry said: “If this person is capable of doing this to the defenceless animal what would he do to women and children?”

All that’s needed is a tip off – you can remain totally anonymous and you do not need to appear in a court of law.

Jerry has saved many animals in his life, most recently a dog named ‘Snoopy’ who had to have his legs amputated after being so badly beaten in Orlando East, Soweto.

As a child growing up in Shoshanguve township, Jerry Selwane was always drawn to help the bullied, be it people or animals. Whilst employed as an SPCA inspector, he recognised that in a lot of cases education could replace or avert the route of prosecution. People’s attitudes could be changed rather than leaving them with a criminal record.

His dream was realised when he left the SPCA to start the Soweto Animal Rescue and Advisory Centre (SARAC) in November, 2011. He began by walking the streets, checking up on animals, and building good relationships with the community.

Those days were tough for him and his family. He had very little support and funding was minimal.

Despite this, he started educating the residents, changing their old views of animals as property to one of seeing them as family members. His efforts were appreciated; the community even started calling him ‘Dr Doolittle’.

SARAC has grown from humble beginnings in Naledi, Soweto, to owning their own premises in Zuurebekom. They provide support to the poorer community in Soweto, helping them with dog food, sterilisation of pets, veterinary care, vaccinations and dipping.

Unless the circumstances are dire, SARAC avoids removing animals, preferring to educate the owner, improve the animals’ life, and monitoring the situation.

SARAC also inspects pet shops, abattoirs and ritual slaughters, making sure there is no unnecessary suffering that the animals must endure.

“Our work is not limited to Soweto; we help any animal in need and work together with other animal organisations,” says Jerry.

“In addition, SARAC is an animal shelter for stray,  brutally abused, neglected and abandoned animals, which we rehabilitate and rehome.”

In 2014 Jerry realised that there were more horrendous cruelty cases outside his jurisdiction and for him to enforce the law he then founded and Registered the South African Animals Rescue and Prosecution Division (SARPD) also a Non Profit Organisation (144-021 NPO).

Since then Jerry has stepped in and successfully located and prosecuted a man who so horribly and cruelly abused a goat in a video which had been circulating on social media, he has raided and confiscated dog fighting syndicates, rescued dogs stolen during horrific armed robberies, and intervened in many other cruel cases. He’s known as the animal hero who never gives up.

SARAC is fortunate to have the help of Jerry’s “Rangers” – community children who help on SARAC’s outreaches and are their ‘watchdogs’ in the community, reporting any animal cruelty to Jerry.

“It is very prestigious to be a Ranger, and these children are specially selected. They are rewarded every Christmas with a party, gifts and prizes. This not only helps us, but builds a future of aware, animal-loving people, and creates a sense of pride in these children.”

For more information, or if you want to offer any assistance to SARAC, please contact Jerry Selwane on 084 911 9459, email info@sarac.co.za, visit www.sarac.co.za or follow them on facebook.

Watch horrendous animal abuse in South Africa 

NOT FOR SENSITIVE VIEWERS… VERY GRAPHIC VIDEO

https://www.facebook.com/saracsoweto/videos/1604487449593076/

Jerry says: “We are very confident that with SApeople.com our chances of finding the suspect or the scenery are very High.” If you know anyone who could help identify the premises or the suspect, please contact Jerry: 084 911 9459