A TikToker from Johannesburg is being sued by the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA), which has taken a firm stand against animal cruelty after causing widespread public outrage. In a controversial video that quickly went viral, the content creator was seen force-feeding beer to a fish, an act that many found deeply disturbing.
NSPCA Takes Legal Action
The NSPCA has identified the individual responsible and is preparing to lay charges under South Africa’s Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. The organization’s spokesperson, Jacques Peacock, confirmed their intent to pursue criminal charges, emphasizing that such acts of cruelty carry serious legal consequences.
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“The NSPCA will be filing criminal charges against the individual seen in the video force-feeding beer to a common carp,” said Jacques Peacock.
The penalties for violating the act may include imprisonment, fines, or a suspended sentence, depending on the severity of the offence.
[WATCH] It ended in tears for a Johannesburg TikToker now facing charges after a viral video showed him force-feeding beer to a fish. The NSPCA condemned the act as animal cruelty and is pursuing charges under the Animals Protection Act.
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Animal Cruelty as Entertainment: A Troubling Trend
This incident is part of a growing trend of animal cruelty videos appearing on social media platforms like TikTok. Peacock noted that such content often requires extensive time and effort from inspectors to investigate and bring offenders to justice.
In a similar case from October 2023, a python was filmed being forced to drink beer, though the culprits were never identified.
TikToker Faces Backlash and Legal Consequences
According to Independent Online, the TikToker has admitted that the animal cruelty video was intended as a joke. However, this admission has done little to quell the public’s anger. Many social media users have condemned his actions, calling for accountability and justice for the harm inflicted on the animals.
Encouraging Respect for Animal Welfare
The NSPCA hopes this case will warn others who might consider exploiting animals for entertainment. The organization also praised the public for their strong stance against the video, highlighting the growing awareness of the need to treat all animals, including fish, with compassion and respect.
“We are encouraged by the outpouring of support for animal welfare, which demonstrates that people care deeply about preventing cruelty to all living creatures,” Peacock added.