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News of recent court cases
Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZNSPCA)
Extracted from the ZNSPCA update
July 20, 2004

Cloudious Chikwira of Beatrice – fined $50,000 or 50 days with hard labour for cruelty to dairy cows.

Mcdonald Madziro of Mutare pleaded Guilty to cruelty by overcrowding of livestock in his vehicle – fined $60,000.

After over a year, the ZNSPCA case against the "hoarder" mentioned in previous reports was heard. Having said she was going to have Meryl deported – Robyn Bennett of Melfort pleaded Guilty to all counts. Her lawyer then pleaded that she had no money (true) and begged the Magistrate not to give a custodial sentence. She was sentenced to "a fine of $400 000 or 20 months – wholly suspended for 5 years on condition the accused does not commit a similar offence".

ZNSPCA have another 12 cases pending in the courts, the most serious of which is the case of Dog Fighting in Harare.

As if the ZNSPCA has not already got enough on its plate, it has been learnt through the press that the Zimbabwe Government are planning to send a selection of our wildlife to China. In return Zimbabwe is to receive four Tigers. This country’s track record of sending wildlife to foreign countries is quite abysmal. In the past, Zimbabwe have sent Rhinos to North Korea – they all died, including one which broke out of its crate, was hit by a car and killed. Another consignment of wild animals was sent to Algeria some time ago – never to he heard of again. Two years ago wildlife was sent to Nigeria – several did not survive, including a female leopard who died in her travelling crate from starvation as authorities were too frightened to let her out.

Meryl has requested a meeting with the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in this regard.

ZNSPCA is now receiving enquiries and reports of animals from all over Zimbabwe and whilst there remains a huge backlog of follow ups to attend to, despite the prevailing challenging political and economic climate, the welfare of many animals has improved due to the involvement of our small team of brave and dedicated Inspectors.

None of which would have been possible without your kind generosity and support. Not having the means or manpower to actively fund-raise for our Society, we just could not have continued without this vital support.

Thank you for continuing to stand by us as we battle the odds in order to safeguard the animals of Zimbabwe and for understanding the difficult and sensitive nature of our situation.

Visit the ZNSPCA fact sheet

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