A woman accused of leaving her dog to die in the boot of her car has been declared a paranoid schizophrenic by a doctor, the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court heard today.
"She was assessed by a doctor from Sterkfontein hospital... and the doctor's assessment goes on to make the recommendation that the charges against her be withdrawn," her lawyer Christopher Gibson said.
The doctor found the 49-year-old woman suffered from the illness on November 6 when she left her Dachshund, named Chutney, in her car at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg before departing for Norway.
Unable to escape, the animal died of starvation. It was found dead almost a month later.
The woman, who was still overseas at the time, was charged with contravening the Animals Protection Act.
"A copy of the assessment was given to the court control prosecutor who has now referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision on the matter," said Gibson.
The case was postponed to 14 October.
Gibson said his client was back in the country, and appeared in court on Friday.
The Airports Company SA was keeping the woman's car and demanding R24,000 for outstanding parking fees.
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