Midrand SPCA rescues puppy from side of the road
Midrand SPCA pleads with the community for involvement in the fight against animal cruelty.
The Midrand SPCA urges members of the public to take action by reporting any instances of animal cruelty they may witness or come across.
This plea follows a distressing incident that occurred on September 7 at the New Road intersection, where SPCA inspector Theo Mokgatle received an alarming call.
Read more: Midrand SPCA drives a successful outreach day in Ivory Park
The reporter detailed young children soliciting money from passersby on the streets, while a small puppy was left in a vulnerable position, exposed to harsh weather conditions on a bridge.
The puppy had been tied to a pole and had no shade and water, while the young children were busily asking motorists for donations, utilising school donation sheets as part of their efforts.
Pam Pretorius, the SPCA general manager, expressed concern regarding the situation, noting that had the puppy fallen through the barricade, it could have faced the tragic fate of strangling itself while hanging precariously from the edge of the bridge.
She emphasised the dire consequences of leaving animals unprotected from the elements, stating, “Animals that are left exposed to the elements with no water or shade can endure severe suffering due to dehydration, which can ultimately lead to organ failure, particularly for puppies, who are naturally very delicate and vulnerable.”
Upon Mokgatle’s arrival at the scene, it quickly became clear that no adults or guardians were present. It was determined that these children had brought the puppy with them onto the streets.
Also read: Midrand SPCA invites community members to its annual general meeting
Immediately taking action, Mokgatle relocated the puppy to a shaded area, provided it with water to alleviate its distress, and commenced a conversation aimed at educating the youngsters about the responsibilities of pet ownership and the importance of animal welfare.
“While it is unfortunate that we cannot entirely prevent children from being sent out to beg, Uncle Theo made it abundantly clear to these young ones that they should never bring their pets along with them during such activities,” said Pretorius.
“We plead with the public to immediately notify us if they witness animals being sold on the roadside or being used in the context of begging.
“We ask that you do not inadvertently support this form of cruelty, because when individuals purchase animals under the mistaken belief that they are saving them, it only perpetuates the cycle of suffering for more animals and encourages this cruel behaviour to continue.”
Pretorius urged people not to notify those they were reporting, suggesting instead that they contact the SPCA directly so the organisation could address the situation appropriately.
The puppy has since been rescued by the SPCA and is now under their protective care. “Thank you to the caller who alerted us to this situation and inspector Mokgatle for assisting this puppy.”
In addition, the SPCA is appealing to parents to refrain from exploiting both youth and animals in these troubling scenarios, as it is suspected that some of the children may be sent out to collect donations under the direction of their parents.
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: Midrand SPCA reaches inaccessible areas to continue to touch lives, thanks to the donors
