SPCA sues snake handler

[SABOAMAN]

Found this on iol news

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/ ... H1_n9JxnR0

Cape Town - The ruins of a charity shop are at the centre of a spat between a Cape Town snake handler and the SPCA.

Reptile rescuer Shaun Macleod took to social media in the aftermath of a suspected arson attack last month on the animal rights organisation’s property in Grassy Park, saying he would have “no problem” if the “entire corrupt establishment burnt to the ground”.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is now fighting back, lodging a case of defamation against Macleod and demanding R300 000 in damages.

Chief executive Allan Perrins said since police were still hunting for the criminals behind the attack, the snake handler’s comments were suspicious.

The organisation was alerted to the fire last month in the early hours when a motorist noticed smoke billowing from the property. While firefighters rushed to the scene, the blaze could not be contained and the shop was gutted.

However, the flames were doused before they could reach the kennels where the SPCA houses its animals.

According to documents drafted by the organisation’s lawyers, Macleod made posts on the SPCA Facebook page with “the intention to defame the plaintiff and to injure its reputation as a non-profit organisation that protects animal rights”.

Macleod told the Cape Argus that he stood by what he had said.

“The whole place could burn down. I don’t care.”

Earlier this year the SPCA confiscated his snakes after it was alleged he was not looking after them properly.

The matter was settled out of court.

It was decided that Macleod could have his snakes back but the SPCA would have “unfettered” access to monitor them.

kieran.legg@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

[Ruan Stander]

I would have been much nicer to them considering they gave him his snakes back