The euthanization of two dogs found with ropes around their necks and tied to bricks near the water’s edge in Cato Manor, recently, has the community divided with some members of the public lambasting animal welfare organization, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for ending the canines’ lives so swiftly.
The saga commenced when community members contacted the SPCA after hearing dogs crying in the vicinity for three days. Inspector Alfred Mntungwa borrowed a ladder from a community member and climbed down, to find two dogs with ropes around their necks tied to bricks next to the water’s edge.
SPCA spokesperson Tanya Fleischer, said: “Tied up, dumped and left to die an unthinkable death. Inspector Alfie managed to safely load the dogs into his vehicle, and transport them back to our SPCA for immediate assessment by our veterinarian. Whilst there, the dogs experienced gentle hands, kind words and humane treatment, possibly for the very first time in their sad lives. Unfortunately, we were too late to rehabilitate the poor creatures, who were severely malnourished.
We appeal to the public to please call us timeously to enable us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of abused and abandoned animals. We also remind the community that the SPCA will take in any pets which can no longer be taken care of. As long as the SPCA is here, there is never justification for acts of cruelty to rid oneself of the responsibility of pet ownership.”
In the meanwhile, the public reacted with empathy and anger at the euthanization of the dogs which was reported on the SPCA Facebook page.
“Its very sad that they were put to sleep so quickly without a chance of being nursed back to health. A bit of food and a bit of love does wonders,” another Facebook comment read.
Another Facebook comment stated: “They weren’t given a chance.”
“The spca will always do what’s best for the situation. Thanks to them the dogs lives ended in a better way than if they were left to die the way they were found. Tied up, scared and starving. To those people who criticize why don’t you offer to home and rehabilitate…,” another social media comment stated.
“Absolutely heart breaking. Thank you for rescuing them. Thankful that community members called,” said a Facebook user.
Fleischer said: “The work that our SPCA does is traumatic. Not every story has a happy ending, but this story could have ended differently had we been called sooner. Please report any acts of cruelty or dogs/cats crying in pain immediately to our SPCA so we can arrive as quickly as possible.”
According to Fleischer in this case, there is no evidence that enables the SPCA to open a case of animal cruelty.
The SPCA can be contacted on 031-579-6501 or after hours on 083-212 6103.
