A man who used a pit bull to intimidate and rob a resident in Kensington, Cape Town, has been sentenced to six years in jail.
Charles O’Rear/ Getty Images
A man who used a pit bull to intimidate and rob a resident in Kensington, Cape Town, was sentenced to six years in jail last week.
The case stems from an incident on 23 July last year, when the resident was sitting in a park between 11th and 12th Avenues.
According to the City of Cape Town, the man initially walked past the resident with the dog, but returned moments later and demanded the resident’s cellphone.
“The dog was used in the commission of the crime after the suspect directed it at the complainant in an intimidating manner,” mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said in a statement.
“Community members assisted in identifying the suspect, who was known in the area for committing robberies using the dog as a weapon.”
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He said the dog was removed at the prosecution’s instruction.
“Officers made multiple attempts before successfully removing the animal, bringing an end to a series of robberies committed in and around Kensington,” Smith said.
Smith said pit bulls were not inherently dangerous dogs, but were made dangerous by humans who sometimes used them as weapons.
“I want to commend SAPS and law enforcement’s Animal Control Unit for their persistence and dedication in ensuring the successful removal of the dog and supporting the investigation that led to the conviction and sentencing of the offender.”
