A South African has been caught having raping a goat in Sharpeville, a report by City Press said.

According to the newspaper, at around 18:30 on Friday a shepherd caught the man when he heard the goat frantically bleating, spokesperson of Gauteng police, Major Mack Mngomezulu said.

“The man undressed himself and then caught the goat, strangled it and started to have sex with it. The goat started to scream and then a shepherd shouted for assistance.”

Members of the community came to the shepherd’s aid and assaulted the man.

“He was rescued by police who took him to the hospital,” Mngomezulu said.

The SPCA was also called to the scene.

The Vereeniging Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said the goat was found alive but died later.

Its carcass was being sent for a post mortem.

Mngomezulu said the man was still in hospital and would be arrested once he was released. The SPCA said it would make sure the “animal rapist” was not granted bail once he appeared in court.

“Animals are not sexual commodities and this is a sick and barbaric crime that took place,” it said.

*Reported originally by City Press