Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) in South Africa has announced its intention to file criminal charges against a TikTok user who allegedly forced alcohol, suspected to be beer, into the mouth of a fish in a widely circulated video.
In the video, the TikTok user, identified as Lethabo_Sebapo, is seen
holding a fish in one hand while laughing and pouring the beverage into its
mouth. The act has sparked widespread outrage online. According to the NSPCA,
the case docket is nearing completion.
“The publisher, who describes himself on TikTok as 'fun, entrepreneur,
CEO and innovative,' will face criminal charges under the Animals Protection
Act,” the NSPCA stated.
“We hope this prosecution will serve as a deterrent, discouraging people
not only from publishing acts of animal cruelty as a form of entertainment but
also from committing them.”
The organization revealed that they have tracked down and contacted the
individual, who admitted to the act, dismissing it as “fun.” The NSPCA
expressed concern about the rising trend of animal cruelty being depicted on
social media for entertainment purposes.
“The NSPCA is heartened by the widespread condemnation of the person's
actions, which reflects the compassion many South Africans feel for animals —
including fish, who are often overlooked in their capacity for sentience and
suffering,” the organization added.
The NSPCA aims to use this case to highlight the seriousness of animal
cruelty and its prosecution as a way to discourage similar behaviour in the
future.
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