Ruimsig’s puppy killer
RUIMSIG - SPCA releases video footage of a paramedic punching, kicking and strangling his puppies.
Would you trust a paramedic to save your life, knowing that he physically abuses his own pets?
This question is on the lips of every person who has seen the Youtube video released by Roodepoort SPCA today [3 March], in which Christopher Ritchie can be seen repeatedly kicking and strangling his puppies in his garden in Ruimsig.
One of the three puppies did not survive the ordeal – he killed it in a fit of rage.
“It is evident from the footage that the puppies were petrified of their owner as displayed by their behaviour,” SPCA inspector Kay Engelbrecht explained.
She expressed her relief when Ritchie admitted guilt and was sentenced in the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on 20 February.
The manager of Roodepoort SPCA, however, believed the sentence handed down was not harsh enough.
“He was sentenced to three months imprisonment suspended for 5 years and a R1000 fine. Ritchie was also declared unfit to keep any animals,” Manager Mandy Cattanach said.
The explanation Ritchie offered as to why he did this to the dogs was because the body corporate at his complex complained about their incessant barking.
Neighbours of the accused heard dogs crying and when they started investigating, noticed the man strangling his three dogs.
It was too dark when they first tried to record him on their mobile phones. They managed to record him twice during the next two days, however.
“We realised how serious the matter was when we saw the video,” Cattanach recounted.
Ritchie subsequently wrote a letter to the SPCA to apologise for his conduct.
He claimed that his behaviour was out of character and that he experienced a high level of stress as a paramedic.
WARNING: The video is extremely graphic and upsetting.
