It is thanks to an investigation by the BBC that this affair came to light. She revealed how, in Ugandascammers used dozens of dogs to collect money from animal lovers. Images were filmed using a hidden camera, revealing the real intentions of the crooks and especially the conditions in which the dogs who were victims of abuse lived. Their goal was simple: to obtain donations to finance the treatment of injured animals taken into shelters. Mityanabut which were actually used to pay for the luxurious lifestyle of the scammers. The documentary filmed by the BBC is visible on YouTube.
Russet's journey, recounted by the BBC
Among them was Russell who was saved, like his fellows, by theAnimal Welfare Alliance Uganda. He suffered serious leg injuries, intentionally caused by Owen Godfrey Membe and his accomplices, all content creators on social networks.
BBC
Alas, if Russell was able to be saved from the clutches of his torturers, and taken to the veterinary clinic in Kampala (capital ofUganda), he did not survive despite treatment. Intentionally inflicted, his injuries cost him his life.
An alarming situation which revolted and mobilized theAnimal Welfare Alliance Ugandaa network of activists, as well as the police.
A first arrest
The arrest ofOwen Godfrey Membe took place after a police raid on 2 shelters. While the latter, placed in pre-trial detention until May 27, has decided to plead not guilty to the acts of cruelty towards animals with which he is accused, 2 other suspects are on the run.
“ This case marks the first arrest since the world became aware of how this scam transformed into a full-blown scam industry driven by online content creators », declared Bart Kakoozavice-president of theAnimal Welfare Alliance Uganda.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds stolen
A complaint filed by theAnimal Justice Center (Ugandan organization) and supported by We Won't Be Scammed (British group) was filed against Member who is accused of having “ killed a animal in an unnecessarily cruel way “, an act that goes against Uganda's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (Animals Prevention of Cruelty Act). Dogs that were rescued and cared for by theAnimal Welfare Alliance Uganda will subsequently be placed in an emergency shelter which is currently being set up. “ The world is now watching closely to see how Uganda will bring these cases to justice and how these animals will be given another chance to live a life free from cruelty. » further underlined Bart Kakooza.
The arrest and investigation of the BBC have highlighted this vast scam which allegedly extracted “ hundreds of thousands of pounds to international donors “.