McKeed Kotlolo

McKeed Kotlolo

A 51-year-old Mpumalanga farmer, who shot and killed four dogs, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Leon Dormehl of Goedehoop farm in Carolina was sentenced by magistrate Godfrey Netshiozwi in the Carolina regional court for the reckless discharge of a firearm and malicious damage to property by shooting four dogs in December 2003.

For the purpose of sentencing, the court combined the two charges and sentenced Dormehl to an effective three years imprisonment.

Dormehl applied for leave to appeal against his conviction and sentence, but his application was turned down.

According to court papers, December Thela, the owner of the dogs, Sipho Mlangeni and Christopher Mbuyana, all from Selobela village, were walking on Spoornet property traversing Dormehl's farm looking for missing cattle, when Dormehl drove up to them and started shooting randomly.

In the confusion, the men managed to escape unharmed, but the dogs were shot and killed.