The man responsible for a disturbing video showing him mistreating fish has been identified by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), sparking outrage across social media. In the shocking footage, the Johannesburg man is seen pouring beer into the mouth of a still-living fish. The 20-second video, which was later removed, shows the man laughing as he forces the fish to open its mouth, mocking its distress while his companion laughs along.
The man’s actions have drawn widespread condemnation, with NSPCA spokesperson Jacques Peacock confirming that they are reviewing the footage and gathering evidence to prosecute him under the Animals Protection Act of 1962. He added that the NSPCA had encountered similar cases of animal cruelty in the past, with one incident in October 2023 seeing a group of men forcing beer down the throat of a large python during a party. The incident, which was also filmed and shared on social media, sparked a similar wave of anger.
Peacock noted that the group involved in the python incident had also filmed the horrific act, prying open the snake’s jaws and pouring an entire 750ml bottle of Black Label beer down its throat. The NSPCA had successfully secured a conviction for a similar case involving a snake being exposed to a psychoactive substance, and they are determined to pursue justice for the mistreatment of these animals.
While the man behind the fish mistreatment video has been identified, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, led by spokesperson Belinda Abrahams, has urged the public to refrain from sharing such content. “When people share these videos, even with negative comments, they inadvertently help the video gain more traction,” she explained. Abrahams emphasized that social media algorithms do not distinguish between positive and negative responses, and by reacting, individuals may unwittingly amplify the cruelty.
The NSPCA is calling on the public to support their efforts by not engaging with or sharing harmful videos. Instead, they encourage people to report such incidents and help ensure that the perpetrators face the consequences of their actions. It is clear that the battle against animal cruelty, both online and offline, requires collective effort and responsible social media behavior to stop cruelty from spreading further.
