Johannesburg – Thirteen men arrested in connection with a dog fighting syndicate were granted bail by the Tsakane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, said the NSPCA.

A condition of bail was that all their domestic animals be handed over to a local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) by Friday, said National Council of SPCAs deputy CEO Este Kotze.

The case was postponed until December 3.

The NSPCA and the police confiscated 14 dogs during a raid on the East Rand last month.

Thirteen of the dogs had to be destroyed because of the extent of their injuries, Kotze said.

NSPCA executive director Marcelle Meredith said she was disappointed by Monday’s ruling.

Sapa