![Shooting of pit bulls under investigation Shooting of pit bulls under investigation](https://benonicitytimes.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2023/05/Stokroos-Street-1-Medium.jpg)
A case of malicious damage to property, as well as discharging a firearm in public, was laid against a Community Monitoring Service (CMS) reaction officer on May 17.
This came after the officer allegedly shot and injured two pit bull terriers at a home on Stokroos Street, Northmead.
According to the homeowner, Scjaack Lamprecht, he received a call from the security company’s control room at 14:57 on the day of the incident.
“The control room told me they had received an alarm activation from my home and wanted to know if we needed assistance,” he said.
“We had load-shedding at the time, which caused the alert. Knowing that everything was in order at home, I informed the agent that it was not necessary for a vehicle to go to the house.”
Lamprecht and his fiancé, Tess Parkes, described the events that followed as the most traumatic incident the family had ever experienced.
“I had just arrived home and saw that the dogs were eating outside,” said Parkes.
“While in my room, I heard our front gate open and saw a man walk onto our property. I did not immediately realise he was from CMS but noticed the dogs move toward the gate to investigate.
“Everything happened so quickly. Without warning, the reaction officer fired two shots at my dogs, Mila and Hercules. They were not even close to him.”
It is alleged he shot the male dog in its side, and the bullet exited his body and hit
the female.
Parkes ran outside and saw both dogs injured.
“I was in absolute shock. The reaction officer left the property, closed the gate and drove off,” said Parkes.
Neighbours prevented the officer from driving away.
“Despite being a CMS customer, the officer had no right to be on my property, not to mention the danger he posed to my family by merely firing his gun in the direction of our home,” said Lamprecht.
He explained that as part of his contract with CMS, reaction officers on duty have access to their property via a universal gate remote.
“I gave CMS clear instructions that no security personnel may enter my property unless requested to and may not use the remote to open the gate during the day,” he said.
“Our dogs are docile and do not pose a threat to anyone. But, given the stigma attached to this breed, I deemed it safer for my pets not to let strangers enter my property. These instructions were clear from the onset.”
Spokesperson for Benoni SAPS Captain Nomsa Sekele confirmed that the case is under investigation and that no arrests have been made.
“According to our information, the accused stated that he was afraid the dogs were going to bite him, so he proceeded to fire his weapon,” said Sekele.
Despite surviving the ordeal, Lamprecht said his animals are in severe pain and have become skittish.
In response to a request for comment from CMS, the Benoni City Times received a statement from Gerhard Nel & Snyman Inc attorneys on behalf of CMS.
It stated that no comment would be forthcoming because the case is sub judice.
“We confirm that, in this specific instance, we represent an employee of CMS, who stands accused of inter alia discharging a firearm in public. The employee instructed us to confirm that he intends to plead not guilty to these offences, should he be prosecuted,” the statement read.
Lamprecht said he has cancelled his contract with the service provider.
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