Mariannhill dog mutilated

THE Lemon family, whose story about their miniature pony was featured in the Highway Mail last week, has had another heartbreak.

Their dog, Jenny, a Labrador cross Jack Russell, was brutally mutilated on Thursday night. The dog was found on Friday morning still alive but in extreme pain.

Jane’s body had been hacked with a panga and one of her eyes gouged out.

Leigh Lemon said she got home late on Thursday night and found Jane sleeping at the front door.

“I went to sleep late that night. In the middle of the night we heard the dogs crying and went to check. We brought the other dog inside but Jane was nowhere to be found.

“I woke up early the following morning to check on the animals as I also have small goats. Leigh said she got the shock of her life when she found blood all over her front door step.

“When I went to the backyard, Jane was lying there in so much pain. She tried to stand up and walk towards me but she could not. She lost so much blood,” said Leigh.

The Lemons rushed Jane to the vet but the dog was beyond recovery and had to be put down.

“I could not stand to see her in so much pain,” Leigh said.

This is the third attack on the Lemon family’s animals and the third dog to be attacked in the Mariannhill area recently that Leigh is aware of.

“I am so scared that there are many dogs that have been killed in this cruel manner.

“My cat was hit with a spade or something similar about three weeks ago. And a case was opened with SPCA where a German Shepherd was attacked with a spade two weeks ago. My Daschund has been missing for three weeks,” she said.

Mariannhill SAPS station commander, Col Themba Madonsela, said they are aware that the Lemon family dog was attacked.

“This is the first case that I am aware of as the complainant reported directly to me.

“A case of cruelty to animals was opened at the station.The police are doing their best to catch the perpetrators and they have visited the area often to find some leads,” said Madonsela.

Lisa Gadd, PR/outreach officer at the Kloof and Highway SPCA said their Inspectorate manager, Cheri Cooke and Inspector Petros Simamane, will go to the Mariannhill area to meet with the complainant.

“Leigh Lemon came to report the case,” said Gadd.

Anyone with information regarding these cases can contact Mariannhill police station on 031 717 2090.

The Lemon family is offering a reward of R1 000 to anyone who has information which would lead to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators who mutilated the Lemon family’s dog.