Cape Town man, 69, arrested after discovery of dead dogs

A 69-year-old man has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after two dogs were found dead at a property in Factreton, Cape Town.

The arrest took place on Thursday, 5 November 2026.

DOG IN DISTRESS

According to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, a witness heard the sound of a dog crying. They saw it “alive and in distress” inside a water tank on the property.

Per the witness’s account, the man on the property allegedly claimed that the dog kept stealing their food, prompting him to put it inside the tank. The man then allegedly rebuffed the witness’s offer to take the dog and left it in the tank.

The witness subsequently alerted the Cape of Good Hope SPCA that Friday afternoon.

TRAGIC DISCOVERY

An SPCA inspector arrived at the property but was refused access. The inspector then called for assistance from the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement’s Animal Control Auxiliary Unit. Once officers arrived, entry was obtained with the property owner’s permission.

“The man told Inspector Siviwe Noko, who leads this investigation, that the dogs had been sick and that he had placed them inside the tank to bathe them,” the SPCA explained. “He said they had died and indicated where he had buried one of them.”

The body of a black-and-brown dog was found wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black plastic bag beneath a tree. Officers then recovered the body of a tan-and-black mixed breed dog that was floating inside the water tank.

The SPCA took custody of both dogs’ bodies for post-mortem examination and further investigation.

SPCA: REPORT ANIMAL CRUELTY

The man was arrested and transported to Kensington SAPS. He was charged with animal cruelty and was scheduled to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 6 November 2026.

A dog accused of stealing food still deserves protection,” the SPCA said. “Illness demands care. Neither circumstance excuses cruelty. The allegations in this case demand a thorough investigation and accountability through the courts.”

Members of the public are urged to report animal cruelty to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA by contacting either 021 700 4158 or 021 700 4159 during office hours. For after-hours emergencies, you can call 083 326 1604.

In other news, a dog in Cape Town died after trying to flee from Guy Fawkes fireworks this week.