EDITOR – I work in Edenvale and in the last two weeks, I have come across two different stray dogs.
The first was in Harris Road. It was a female that had recently given birth to puppies.
I stopped on the side of the road to try and see if she would come to me but she ran away.
I phoned the Edenvale SPCA but they were not open yet, so I contacted the emergency number.
I was told someone would come out.
I spoke to a security guard in Harmelia, regarding the dog, and was told the SPCA had been there before and had left food and water for the dog.
A leash was also left with the guards, if they were able to catch her.
It is the job of the dog’s owner to keep their pet in a secure garden, not to leave them running around in the streets so cars can hit them.
Every morning since I saw the dog, I have been looking out for her but with no luck.
On May 21, on my way to work, I went down Wagenaar Road and to my surprise, I saw yet another stray dog.
I stopped, along with another couple, to try catch the dog.
I went to the butcher and bought some off-cuts of meat, so we could try catch him. But by the time I came out, the dog had run into a secure area off Jansen Street.
I once again called the emergency line and I waited for the SPCA to get there. I phoned again to inform the SPCA that the dog had gone into a secure area.
When he arrived, I told him I had lost the dog when it went into a secure area.
I gave him the meat and left. As I came up Terrace Road, the dog came out of the secure area via another exit, which just means the SPCA representative not drive through the area to look for the dog.
I phoned the SPCA when I arrived at work to find out about the dogs.
The landline, as always, is not available at the moment.
I phoned the cellular phone number and I was told they did not get the dog and that they are unsure about the dog from the previous week.
I will phone them again to hear if they have made any progress on the dogs.
I feel the SPCA is there to assist and they are not doing so. I understand it is the owner’s job as well, but let us be honest, we all know what kind of people are out there.
As for the motorists that nearly hit these dogs and did not bother to stop and do something about it, or help, I hope your eyes will open and that you will stop looking down at your phones and pay attention to what is happening on the road.
ANGIE BEUKES
EDENVALE
EDITOR’S COMMENT – The manageress for the Edenvale SPCA, Mrs Dennise Beattie, commented as follows:
We could not agree more with the writer of the letter; we would be appreciative if people would keep their animals on their property and take responsibility for them.
Please note our number is 011 974-9268.
With regard to the complaint; though a running dog is impossible to catch, we have recently picked up a stray on Wagenaar Road, another difficult catch, at the sports club and another roaming Sebenza.
These are now at the SPCA awaiting owners.
As to the female seen on Harris Road, Baker Street and through Isandovale, she is not a stray. She lives in Palm Street and she takes herself for a walk every day.
She is an escape artist and the owner has been spoken to. The owner said regardless of all his attempts to secure his property, she still roams and added that a stranger will never catch her.
The dog did not have pups at the garage; they are safely at home.
Her tendency to roam is encouraged by the kind people who feed at various spots; this person is not alone in the food drops.
The SPCA staff does respond to calls and though this is not their only duty, attempts are made to collect stray animals whenever possible.
