A divorcing woman has asked that her estranged husband be fined R20 000 for contempt of court because, among other things, he did not fully pay for their dogs Ollie and Sadie’s needs.

According to a Pretoria News report, the woman complained because he failed to pay fully for the R1 500 dog food, and on occasions did not pay the R1 000 a month dog walkers’ bill.

The Western Cape High Court earlier ruled that pending the divorce, the husband had to pay R1 500 towards the dogs.

But a dispute has since arisen about whether this amount was only for the dog food or whether it included his entire liability towards the dogs’ costs. 

The husband, on the other hand, said while he at first agreed to pay the dog walker, he was now tired of this expense, as his wife could walk them herself. 

If she did not want to, she had two domestic workers for which he paid, who could step in.

He meanwhile questioned why the dogs in any event had to eat such expensive dog food, as he fed them pellets while he was still at home, which cost little more than R500 a month.

Judge OL Rogers said while he was inclined to agree that a dog-walking service was a luxury, the husband during the maintenance hearing agreed to pay for this and that order was still in place.

While it may be so that his finances were not as before, the husband did not prove that he was unable to pay the stipulated amounts.

The judge ordered that where he was in arrears he had to pay up or face a R20 000 contempt fine.

Full Pretoria News report