Beware of alien plants during summer
FOURWAYS- A Fourways resident's casual stroll with her dogs in Witkoppen Park turned into a nightmare when one of her dogs became trapped by an alien plant growing in the dam.
Vicky Blom said she had noticed that the surface of the dam had been covered by an invasive alien plant.
Blom’s dog slipped into the dam and while she was trying to help it.
After a drawn out struggle and getting into difficulty herself, Blom managed to get her dogs to safety.
During the ordeal Blom also noticed that the water was particularly filthy. “The water is a health hazard,” she said. “Even the water birds can’t move around in it. “Fourways is supposed to be an ‘upmarket’ area. Seriously can they not spend a bit of time and effort to get the water and the invasive plants sorted out. Maybe if they realised that someone almost drowned there they would do something about it,” Blom asked.
City Parks spokesperson, Jenny Moodley said City Parks was mindful of the seasonal bloom of invasive plants, particularly in the warm and rainy season. She added that scheduled maintenance programmes were in place and would also include maintenance to Witkoppen Park.
Moodley advised that much of the city’s water bodies were storm water catchment areas and therefore the water was not even suitable for consumption by pets.
“Therefore dog handlers need to exercise the necessary caution and abide by the bylaws stating that your dog should be on a lead at all times when in public spaces and near water bodies,” she urged.
