Kirstenhof dog survives brutal knife attack as SPCA investigates

A Kirstenhof family is reeling after their dog survived a knife attack so violent that the blade was driven to its hilt, missing her brain by millimetres. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has opened an investigation into cruelty charges under the Animals Protection Act and CCTV evidence, tying three local teens to the stabbing.

Zia, a four-year-old female brindle cross, was attacked at 3:08pm on December 8. Her owner, Jonathan Nel, arrived home shortly before 4pm to find her with “a large knife protruding from her nose”. He rushed her to the SPCA in Grassy Park, where emergency x-rays revealed the blade was lodged deep in her right nasal cavity.

By 4:31pm, SPCA inspectors, supported by Kirstenhof Crime Watch (KCW), had analysed neighbourhood CCTV footage, identifying three youth between the ages of sixteen and seventeen years of age as suspects.

According to the SPCA, this evidence-gathering prompted the perpetrators “to admit their actions to their parents, who took them to apologise to Zia’s owner”.

Following discussions with the SPCA, the parents brought their children to SAPS Kirstenhof. The SPCA said initial claims that the stabbing was an act of self-defence are considered baseless due to the evidence they obtained.

The organisation commended the parents for their responsible actions.

Zia underwent surgery after x-rays to map the position of the blade and remains under close veterinary supervision.

Her prognosis is encouraging, but the SPCA added the internal trauma is considerable and long-term, with chronic sinus complications expected.

She is receiving strong antibiotic and analgesic support and has not yet resumed eating, with her first voluntary meal expected to signal progress.

The SPCA investigation is backed by the City's Law Enforcement and the Safety & Security Investigations Unit (SSIU).

.A full criminal docket including “affidavits, photographic, video and veterinary evidence has been submitted to police. 

The offenders, who are over 14-years-old, have criminal capacity under the Child Justice Act, with the the boys required to account for their conduct in a court of law.

The organisation warns that the presence of a large knife in the hands of minors is a matter of serious community concern and that normalising weapons like this among adolescents cannot be accepted under any circumstances.

SPCA Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse condemned the attack, saying: “This was an act of horrific cruelty. Our inspectors acted swiftly and will pursue the matter to its fullest legal conclusion. Zia’s suffering cannot be undone. Accountability must follow. I acknowledge the parents who chose to bring their sons to SAPS. Violence cannot be excused, and actions must carry consequences. It is regrettable that Zia is paying a price for a hard life lesson.”

Nel thanked the SPCA, veterinarians and the Kirstenhof community for their support: “Their compassion has been a source of comfort during an experience that no family should face."

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus