Boerboel breeder sentenced

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - After four postponements, Lionel Marais was sentenced in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court today, 14 February.

Marais (54) was found guilty on counts of animal cruelty in 2024.

He was sentenced to pay a R50 000 fine or face 12 months imprisonment.

The court ordered that the money must be paid in monthly instalments to the Garden Route SPCA, who were present at Marais' sentencing.

Senior Inspector Cheri Cooke delivered an emotional victim impact statement to the court.

Cooke said that Marais knew it was illegal to take part in cruelty against animals, including surgically mutilating the tails of the Boerboel puppies that were being sold, but that he has shown no remorse.

Marais was also given a chance to tell the court how the case and the publicity that came from it have impacted his life and the lives of his three children.

According to Marais, who is currently working as a carpenter and sub-contractor, he has been unable to get as much employment as before due to the "bad publicity" that this case has brought, both locally and nationally.

He also said that his children - aged 18, 17 and 13 - have had a difficult time at school due to bullying, which has also affected their academic performances.

"I had to approach the school and ask that my children not suffer because of my actions," he said.

The case was first brought to light in 2022, after 60 severely neglected Boerboels were rescued from a breeding facility, Plaaswag Boerboele, in Hartenbos, owned by Marais.

Shocking photos of starving dogs were circulated to the media by the GRSPCA.