MAN FACES CHARGE OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (MIRROR, PAGE 23)

From Tim Dzamboe, Akatsi

A district magistrate’s court at Akatsi, presided over by Mr Daniel Dorkpor, has remanded Jomo Dogbey Dzakpata, a farmer of Wodome-Alavanyo, in prison custody on the charge of cruelty to animals.
Dzakpata pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea but the sentence was deferred to March 3.
He intentionally and unlawfully caused the death of a cow valued at GH¢500 by using a sharp object to cut its throat.
Prosecuting, Chief Inspector E.Y. Ashiagbui said the convict lived in a cluster of villages with Kwadzo Kpegba who owns cattle being taken care of by a Fulani man known as Belko Faatey.
He said on January 5, 2009 when the Fulani herdsman returned from the bush he realised that one of the cows was missing and immediately reported to his master, who later contacted the accused person but he denied knowledge about the missing cow.
The prosecutor said rather the accused directed the owner of the cows and the herdsman to a different source, adding, however, that a few days later the herdsman found the missing cow killed and covered with grass in the bush about 60 metres away from the home of the convict.
He said the herdsman informed the owner, who later informed the chief of the area, Torgbui Tsitsinamu 1V, and the assembly member, Mr Philip Kale Kotoka.
The convict and other members living in the cluster were summoned by the chief but the accused and others still denied knowledge about the death of the cow and so the chief decided to call in the police to arrest the residents.
Chief Inspector Ashiagbui said sensing danger the accused confessed having committed the offence and a report was made to the police for his arrest.
He said when the police visited the scene they found a decomposed cow covered with grass.