Already battling with a lack of vehicles and funds, the Germiston SPCA has been dealt another blow.
Late last Thursday morning, one of the society’s bakkies was stolen.
The thieves entered the SPCA’s Driehoek premises and took the vehicle without a care in the world.
Already being one vehicle down, the SPCA is now two down and this, said manager Burt Coetzee, is a grave concern for them.
“We are having to prioritise cases, and have to respond to the more urgent cruelty cases first, before being able to respond to anything else,” he said.
“This is a huge hardship for us, as the care of and assistance to our communities’ animals is our top priority.”
The incident happened after one of the SPCA’s drivers had just returned from having two new tyres fitted to the vehicle.
He parked the bakkie at the back of the premises, as usual, and closed the gate.
“A little while later he asked me if I would like him to fetch the vehicle and bring it to the front, as I was going to use it,” said Coetzee.
“But, when he got to where he had parked it, it was gone and the back gate was open.
“At first we thought that maybe one of the other staff members had taken the vehicle, but all the drivers were present and accounted for.”
Coetzee immediately alerted the SPCA’s tracking company and the bakkie was tracked to City Deep, Johannesburg.
“However, the vehicle was not there.
“This is where they must have disconnected the tracking system,” Coetzee said.
About an hour-an-a-half later, Coetzee received a call to say that the bakkie had been located on the N1 highway, near Naturena.
Two men were arrested and a third, the driver, managed to escape.
Although the vehicle was insured, the damage was too great for repair work and it had to be written off.
Coetzee said the SPCA has to come up with R50 000 to pay the difference between the insured amount and a replacement vehicle.
Various items of equipment, including a camera, were taken from the bakkie and not recovered, so these will also have to be replaced.
“We would appreciate the community’s help in covering these expenses,” Coetzee said.
“Ideally, the replacement cost of this vehicle and the donation of a new one would be the dream, as then we can do our jobs effectively.”
He added that luckily no animals were in the vehicle at the time of its theft, so they didn’t have to worry about animals being hurt during the robbery.
In addition to the vehicle, the SPCA now also has to look at upgrading security at the premises.
“We work stand-by duties and often come into the kennels after 11pm at night,” Coetzee said.
“This is not safe for the staff, as you have to get out of the vehicle, open a gate, drive in, get out and close the gate again.”
Ideally the SPCA would like to install motorised gates, which would be a much safer option for the staff and animals being brought in.
The SPCA is looking for a donation of palisade gates, as well as motors and cement to do the installation.
If you can assist in any way call 082 675 0072.
Coetzee said help in any form would be greatly appreciated.
Jack Russell Estates has already donated R1 000 towards the cause and is challenging all other businesses to match them.
Other articles you may be interested in:
Use this number to contact the SPCA
