A man was arrested for allegedly beating to death an eagle owl near Sunset Beach in Sea Point, in front of horrified onlookers.

SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said an animal enthusiast enjoying a sunset walk witnessed the owl, a protected species, gracefully land on the promenade barrier at Sunset beach on the evening of February 16.

“The serene moment quickly turned tragic when a homeless man emerged from the shadows with a stick in his hand, mercilessly beating the owl to death in front of horrified onlookers.

“The violence was captured on video, with audible screams from witnesses attempting to intervene. Sadly, the owl succumbed to its injuries, almost every bone in its body nearly shattered from the severity of the attack. This barbaric act not only ended the life of a protected species but also left an indelible mark on those who witnessed it.”

Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse said they were notified of the incident after the witness posted the video on Facebook.

“Our swift action led to the speedy gathering of evidence, including affidavits from witnesses and the video footage. The owl’s remains were collected and sent for a post-mortem, the results of which confirm the brutal impact of the attack.”

An X-Ray of the owl that was beaten to death in Sea Point. Picture: Supplied

Abraham added that through relentless efforts, and with the help of the Sea Point CID, the alleged perpetrator was apprehended on Saturday.

“The suspect was handed over to the Sea Point SAPS where Chief Inspector Pieterse submitted a complete docket and opened criminal charges.”

“The suspect faces charges under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 and the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974 for the illegal killing of a protected species.”

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed a 37-year-old man was arrested on Saturday in terms of the Animal Cruelty Act by the SPCA.

“The arrest followed after a case was reported of a suspect who allegedly killed an owl at the Sea Point promenade. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

“The suspect made his court appearance in the Cape Town Magistrates’ court on Monday, February 24, where the case was remanded until March 4. The case is investigated by the Stock Theft Unit.”

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA extended its gratitude to Sea Point CID Chairperson Jacques Weber and his team for their support, as well as the Sea Point SAPS for their cooperation in securing the arrest.

“This devastating incident serves as a call to action: we must stand united against wildlife cruelty and protect our natural heritage,” Abraham said.

Weber said: “As always, Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse made it his mission to find the culprit. When he called me this weekend with a request for assistance , it was my pleasure to join and ensure that all the necessary resources were on hand to help,” he said.

“A heartfelt thank you to the Sea Point CID team, who immediately sprang into action, even though the incident occurred outside the SPCID boundary. Pieterse and Sea Point CID, security teams, your dedication and willingness to go above and beyond do not go unnoticed.”

Anyone with information about animal abuse is urged to contact the SPCA at 021 700 4158/9 or report cases via email at inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za.

Cape Times