Viral video of dancing influencer and starving dog leads to animal cruelty charges
How a viral video led to the rescue of 'Bobby' the starving dog by NSPCA.
A content creator who posted a video of herself dancing while her dog sat looking emaciated in the background has been charged in terms of the Animal Protection Act, and the dog, 'Bobby' rescued.
The National Council of SPCA's (NSPCA) took swift action to rescue the dog after the clip went viral.
The video concerned viewers who contacted the organisation, claiming that the canine was visibly emaciated and was allegedly being abused.
Dozens of complaints were sent out by worried individuals and dog lovers alike, which led to the location of the woman and the dog.
"Last week, a video went viral, but not for the right reasons. While a social media influencer danced for likes, an emaciated dog sat sadly in the background. That dog, affectionately named Bobby by hundreds of South Africans moved by her plight, is finally safe," said the NSPCA.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Surviving to thriving: SPCA shares heartwarming update on Bobby
The SPCA has shared a heartwarming update on Bobby, a dog rescued after it was spotted in a viral TikTok video earlier this month. Images of the emaciated dog – who had been forced to eat plastic to survive – left many South Africans enraged and calling for action. Johannesburg content creator Sasha Tshiamo and the dog's owners are now facing charges of animal cruelty. Earlier this month, a TikTok video featuring Sasha Tshiamo dancing was posted on the X platform. The video quickly went viral because of an emaciated dog in the background. The animal's ribcage was clearly visible, and it appeared lethargic. Following a nationwide call, the SPCA stepped in, removing the dog – affectionately nicknamed 'Bobby' – from her shocking living conditions. The animal activists revealed that both the dog's owner – who willingly surrendered the animal – and the influencer were now facing animal cruelty charges. In a social media post, the SPCA shared an update about Bobby, who appeared to be thriving under their care. In a video clip, brave Bobby is seen wearing a winter jersey as she frolics in a garden and happily poses for pictures. The heartwarming caption read: 'One sad video, one brave dog, one second chance. 'Bobby's story didn't end in the background – it's only just begun! From a shadow of herself to a brave and beautiful girl. It turns out that all Bobby needed was a little love and some treats.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by NSPCA (@ According to the SPCA, Bobby will soon be up for adoption. The SPCA has repeatedly warned the public that animal abusers can be criminally charged under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. The act – which was established to prevent the cruelty of animals – stipulates that those found guilty can face a fine or imprisonment. The SPCA rescued a starving dog that captured the hearts of South Africans. Content creator Sasha Tshiamo is now facing animal cruelty charges over the viral video. Images via X: @nspca_sa Offenders could also face a denial of ownership – preventing them from owning animals – as well as a criminal conviction. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- TimesLIVE
CRL chair's claims against its executive director are 'defamatory', Forsa says
Freedom of Religion South Africa (Forsa) has strongly denied what it termed false and defamatory allegations made by chairperson of the CRL Rights Commission Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva on Thursday. During a media briefing convened by the commission, Mkhwanazi-Xaluva alleged Forsa and its executive director Michael Swain had accused her, Cheryl Zondi and/or the Cheryl Zondi Foundation of receiving R1.5m from the National Lotteries Commission. Zondi was a witness in the rape trial of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso. Forsa said this donation was reported widely in the media. It said a press release from the National Lotteries Commission of December 13 2018 stated the Cheryl Zondi Foundation had partnered with the Izimvo 447 NPC and received R1.5m to aid their work for those exploited in sacred spaces. 'Neither Michael Swain, nor Forsa, has ever alleged financial misconduct of any kind. Such claims are false and wholly without any factual basis at all,' the organisation said in a statement. Forsa said it was disappointed that Mkhwanazi-Xaluva did not first seek clarity or engage with it before making public accusations and threatening legal action. 'Her subsequent laying of criminal charges against Michael Swain and Forsa is seen as vexatious and unfounded. It appears to be a personally motivated attack designed to intimidate and deter Forsa (or others) from opposing the chair's agenda to push again for state regulation of religion.' Forsa said it reserved all legal rights in its response to this matter and was considering appropriate legal remedies in response to these false and harmful allegations. 'These include a formal demand for retraction as well as amending its extant damages claim for defamation.' Forsa said it was not against any person or institution, including Mkhwanazi-Xaluva or the commission. 'On the contrary, Forsa supports all of its legitimate and constitutional objectives. However, our singular focus is the protection and advancement of religious freedom and related constitutional rights in South Africa.' Forsa said a letter from more than 20 senior religious leaders representing about 12-million South Africans was sent to President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019, raising several concerns, including that Mkhwanazi-Xaluva simultaneously served as CRL chairperson and deputy chair of the Cheryl Zondi Foundation. The commission was a Chapter 9 institution, created to be independent and impartial, accountable only to parliament, Forsa said. 'Thus, its chair must avoid bias, preferential treatment and dual loyalties. Arguably, this includes keeping clear boundaries when interacting with organisations, especially advocacy organisations, linked to matters before the commission.' Forsa said under Mkhwanazi-Xaluva's leadership at the time, the CRL strongly pushed for state regulation of religion. 'A wide diversity of faith communities strongly opposed the CRL's proposal. The 'conflict of interest' concern arose because the CRL chair cited the Omotoso case as a high-profile example to justify the CRL's proposed regulation model (via peer review councils, licensing of religious leaders, etc).' Her appointment as the deputy chair of the Cheryl Zondi Foundation, therefore, created a strong impression of an overlap of interest and influence. 'On the one hand, the chair of the CRL is tasked with impartial interaction with faith communities, constitutional compliance, and safeguarding diverse religious rights. Acting as deputy chair of the Cheryl Zondi Foundation is an advocacy-aligned — not neutral — position.' This raised legitimate concerns about a conflict of interest on the part of the chairperson, Forsa said. 'It must be stressed that this in no way raises any concern or casts any suspicion on Cheryl Zondi or the Cheryl Zondi Foundation.' Since being reappointed, Mkhwanazi-Xaluva has continued promoting proposals for state regulation of religion, including the introduction of peer review mechanisms, Forsa said. It said it had consistently opposed this course of action, repeatedly warning that state regulation of religion was unnecessary, unconstitutional, unworkable and unaffordable. 'In Forsa's public education efforts to point out the dangers to religious freedom of state regulation of religion, we gave the historical background to the current context. One part of this extensive presentation referenced the 2019 letter to the president in good faith and with full transparency.' Forsa said the 2019 letter did not accuse Mkhwanazi-Xaluva of theft or corruption of any kind and did not contain any accusations against Zondi or the Cheryl Zondi Foundation at all.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
NSPCA takes action against Daybreak Farms over horrific mass animal welfare violations
NSPCA has laid criminal charges over 'million-bird massacre' at Daybreak Farms. Image: File The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has laid criminal charges against the board of directors of Daybreak Farms, following what it has called one of South Africa's worst recorded mass animal welfare disasters, with over a million chickens dead or dying under alleged inhumane and unlawful conditions. The NSPCA confirmed on Thursday it had filed a criminal docket with police, accusing the poultry producer's leadership of gross negligence, systemic mismanagement, and multiple violations of the Animal Protection Act. In a damning statement, the organisation said its inspectors uncovered 'overwhelming evidence' of a total collapse in animal care across multiple Daybreak facilities. Chickens were allegedly found starving, suffering from untreated injuries, and in some cases, resorting to cannibalism due to extreme overcrowding and prolonged neglect. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'The law compels us to value every single animal individually,' said Senior Inspector Nazareth Appalsamy, manager of the NSPCA's Farm Animal Protection Unit. 'To witness the suffering of one animal multiplied by a million is not just a disaster, it's a grave and morally reprehensible failure.' Site visits by the NSPCA were described as harrowing. Inspectors reported scenes of mass death, with birds dying slow, painful deaths, others lying with gaping wounds, and many unable to move. The organisation has described the situation as a 'massacre'. The criminal complaint follows a recent Gauteng High Court ruling that made final an urgent interim order against Daybreak Farms. The court found that the company's leadership had 'failed in their legal duty of care' and cited 'financial mismanagement of the available funds,' which endangered the lives of the animals in their possession. 'The urgency arose from Daybreak's failure to care for the chickens in their possession,' the ruling stated. The final court order compels Daybreak to stop all inhumane culling, provide adequate feed and veterinary care, halt new chick placements unless the NSPCA deems it safe, and grant full access to its facilities for compliance monitoring. The company was also ordered to pay the NSPCA's legal costs. However, efforts to enforce the court's directives have been complicated by a new development. On May 20, 2025, Daybreak voluntarily entered business rescue proceedings, a move the NSPCA fears could obstruct both enforcement and the recovery of more than R580,000 it spent on emergency operations. 'This is not only a legal and ethical failure, but also a financial one,' said the NSPCA. 'Despite a High Court ruling in our favour, our ability to recover costs has been compromised by Daybreak's sudden entry into business rescue.' In response, Daybreak Foods issued a media statement confirming the appointment of veteran restructuring specialist Tebogo Maoto as its Senior Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP). Maoto, formally appointed on May 22, has been tasked with stabilising operations and developing a turnaround strategy. Daybreak's interim board chairperson, Dr Charlotte Nkuna, said: 'We welcome the appointment of the BRP as part of a collective effort, together with the Public Investment Corporation, to rescue the company and save approximately 2,800 jobs.' Under Section 133 of the Companies Act, Daybreak now benefits from a temporary legal moratorium that protects it from enforcement actions, while the BRP and board prepare a rescue plan addressing its financial crisis. The NSPCA, which depends on public donations and limited funding, is now appealing for urgent financial support to continue its monitoring and legal efforts. Operational costs continue to mount as inspectors remain on-site to oversee animal welfare and ensure compliance with the court's directives. 'We urgently appeal to the public, the private sector, and compassionate individuals to assist us in holding Daybreak accountable and in preventing further suffering,' the organisation said. Daybreak, once considered one of the country's leading poultry producers, has yet to respond publicly to the NSPCA's criminal allegations.
