The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) will file criminal charges against the individual seen in a recent viral video pouring an alcoholic beverage, suspected to be beer, down the mouth of a common carp. The individual, who publishes as Lethabo Sebapo on TikTok, has been tracked and contacted, and the compilation of a docket is in its final stages.
In the video published by Sebapo, he is seen holding the fish in one hand while pouring the beverage into the fish’s mouth with the other hand. Sebapo is heard laughing and appears entertained throughout the video.
Sebapo admitted to the act and stated that his motivation was ‘fun’. He will face criminal charges under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. Specific charges are in relation to sections 2(1)(a), (n), (q) and (r).
Since the rise of social media platforms like TikTok, the NSPCA has seen an alarming increase in videos depicting animal cruelty. Much of their inspectors’ time and resources are now taken up by tracking and investigating the sources of such videos.
