Dog found paralysed in Krugersdorp had to be put down, RandWest SPCA says
Irresponsible pet ownership has led to the suffering of a collie mix breed who had to ultimately be put down.
The RandWest SPCA came across a horrifying incident of a dog found paralysed in Krugersdorp.
RandWest SPCA manager René van Straten explained despite the workload, they visited the area to help out animals in need. Just as they were about to leave they were approached by a dog owner asking assistance. He stated his dog had a broken leg. What Van Straten and trainee inspector Matthews Khutsane found was a collie mix-breed in a bag, he was elderly and had fractured his hind leg which resulted in him being paralysed. He was lying in his feces and urine, inside the bag, with matted hair and maggots eating him alive.
“As if the pain of having a severe fracture is not enough, he couldn’t move, nor eat and drink. He is laying with no control over his bladder, not to mention being eaten by maggots.”
Van Straten added the dog’s leg was so badly broken that if he had received the help he needed when it happened his leg most probably would have been amputated at the hip. This meant the dog was unable to get up taking into account that he is over 10 years old. He therefore could only lie in one place. His long hair then knotted with his urine and feces which caused the maggots.
The only way the SPCA could help the dog was by humanly euthanising him.
The SPCA is currently putting together the case against the owner which will be taken to court.
“It is frustrating. On the one hand, we want to help everyone and their animals. Sadly, we are not in the position to make that possible, but at the same time, it feels as though some people don’t deserve to have animals, as they can’t even go to the trouble to pick up the phone and try to get help from somewhere. It makes me angry that people can keep animals without taking responsibility and the animals suffer from it,” Van Straten said.
She mentioned this is part of the reason they are unable to help everyone and many times have to euthanise the animals. She expressed her gratitude towards the other organisations and vets who help where they can, unfortunately, they as the SPCA get a stream of complaints daily and they can’t refuse help, which leaves euthanasia as the only option.
“We try our best every day to get to every animal that needs our help. We never turn an animal away.”
