[WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE] Kloof SPCA refutes unethical euthanasia claims

THE Kloof and Highway SPCA has refuted claims on social media about unethically euthanising an 18-year-old blind and deaf Pekingese.

At about 1.15am on Monday, 27 January, during a storm, a security guard from the Everton area found and dropped off a female Pekingese at the Kloof and Highway SPCA. The local NPO’s Brigitte Ferguson said the dog had no form of identification, no collar and no microchip, and was completely blind and deaf.

“Our kennel manager, with 23 years of experience in animal welfare, checked the animal on Monday morning. She was horrified at not just the general condition of the dog, but also her matted fur, her flea ridden coat, she had a pungent odour from both ears and there where signs of a severe fungal infection,” said Ferguson.

The dog, that was later confirmed to be named Princess, had lesions as well as the presence of deep ulcers in its eyes that were severely inflamed. “Both her eyes were swollen, opaque and encrusted with discharge,” said Ferguson.

In the SPCA’s statement it said the kennel manager checked with reception for any lost dog reports and continued to check throughout the day for a lost report, in the hope that the dog’s owner had come forward.

“Sadly, no owner had phoned or come in to check if Princess was at our SPCA,” said Ferguson.

The organisation’s veterinarians confirmed the presence of deep lesions and ulcers in the dog’s eyes.

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“The chronic inflammation visible indicated an untreated condition that had not been medically treated for an extended period of time. It is also indicative of excruciating pain, resulting in suffering and animal cruelty,” said Ferguson.

By 3pm on Monday, the veterinarians made the decision to euthanise the dog. “This poor girl was in extreme pain and continued to suffer, we could not leave her to suffer overnight in an unfamiliar kennel alone, confused and in pain.

“The veterinarians checked again if a lost report had been received or an owner had come forward, but unfortunately not,” said Ferguson.

In its statement, the SPCA said it received the first phone call from the dog’s owner after 3pm.

In a Facebook post that went viral on social media, the dog’s owner, Dave Beeson, said:

https://www.facebook.com/dave.beeson1/posts/10221077548755310

Ferguson responded, “Does the Kloof and Highway SPCA have any regrets about the heartbreaking decision they had to make? Absolutely, yes! We regret that we were not able to treat Princess or help her sooner. We regret that the pain and suffering that Princess endured was unnecessary. He stated on social media that Princess had not been to a vet for any condition for 17 years as she was healthy. Does this sound like a loving and responsible pet owner? If she had received veterinarian care years ago, when her eyes became infected, she would never have had to endure this life of discomfort and pain.”

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The Highway Mail contacted Beeson. He said that while he was not a veterinarian, should his dogs show any signs of pain or illness, he would take them to a veterinarian.

“In 18 years she has never needed to go to the vet. My other three dogs, yes, they have gone to the vet. She was blind for many years and I wiped her eyes daily, so if she had an ear infection, as they’re saying, I would have smelt it. I can’t believe how she had all of these life-threatening diseases, but I have to take the information at face value.”

The Kloof and Highway SPCA advised Beeson that his statements published on e-mail and social media are prima facie defamatory of the organisation. It has since taken the matter under advisement from its attorneys.

“A case of animal cruelty is being investigated and, due to the sensitivity of the case, we cannot share any of the evidence or photos which may be used for the case,” said Ferguson.

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