The Mancer family have been in shock since their three family pets died, after being poisoned with Two Step, on Wednesday.
Ashleigh told the Germiston City News that her heart is broken following the death of her three-month-old pitbull puppy Titan, Missy (a boerboel who was pregnant with about eight puppies) and Spike.
“Pets become like family members eventually,” she said.
“They become a part of your heart and soul.
“My heart breaks at the memories of my poor boy, Titan, who was still a baby.
“He had won a battle with an illness at the vet and just when he had finally recovered, he was poisoned by some stupid thieves.”
The Belhambra Road, Primrose, family is distraught at the loss of their dogs.
“At 7.10am on Wednesday I was awakened by my sister, Natasha Gradwell, screaming: ‘Ash, come quickly, Titan is dying’, at my bedroom door,” Ashleigh recalled.
“There is nothing worse than waking up in a splutter of confusion.
“Your heart is racing so hard it feels as if it will burst, your eyes welling up with tears, and the sound of terror.
“Children crying, adults screaming, barely having your eyes focusing properly, just to see your puppy gasping for one last breath of air in your father’s arms.”
Ashleigh said her father, Vernon, was desperately trying to help Titan as paralysis set in.
“But it was already too late; he kept on vomiting,” she added.
“The hair on my poor pup’s neck and back was standing up straight and he was terrified.
“He had no idea what was happening to him.
“Within minutes he was dead.”
Ashleigh added that her father and brother, Vernon Ralph, had scared off intruders at about 2am that morning.
“All three of our family pets had died within 30 minutes of ingesting the meat drenched with Two Step granules,” she said.
After consulting their neighbours, the Mancers discovered that 18 dogs had been poisoned in Belhambra Road on February 18.
“Please be aware and alert,” Ashleigh said.
“Call the Primrose Police if you think there is any suspicious behaviour in your area; rather be safe than sorry.”
