Community rallies behind rescued dog

RESIDENTS have rallied behind a rescued dog after she was thrown out of a moving vehicle on the M4 almost two weeks ago. The shocking incident galvanised a rescue response from local residents who tried to save the frightened pooch, many stopping cars on the busy freeway, all in an effort to rescue her.

Lady, as she is being called, was eventually found by Durban North resident, Jenny Cooney, after an appeal on the Durban North Neighbours Facebook page. However, the response from the community, which has been overwhelming, has meant that she is being given the best possible care.

Lady is currently being fostered by Penny Toubkin, who is hoping to find a forever home for her.

“It all started when a friend texted me about a dog that had been thrown out of a vehicle on the M4. I immediately posted on the Durban North Neighbours Facebook page asking for help, and drove there to try and catch her. It’s a miracle she wasn’t struck down, she was so scared that she kept running from one side of the freeway to the other. I was waving cars down trying to tell them to slow down; even a tour bus stopped to help.

“We spent most of the afternoon trying to rescue her, driving between off-ramps on both sides, stopping and running around some more. Eventually we lost sight of her as she ran through a hole in the fence and on to Waterkant Road. We knew she was off the freeway and it was getting dark so we started a WhatsApp group to stay in touch with each other. We were all so worried about her and there was such relief and joy when Jenny found her the next day,” explained Toubkin

Cooney, an animal lover too, said she was shocked by the cruelty Lady had suffered after being thrown out of the vehicle.

“I was just overwhelmed with emotions when I saw her, I just teared up. She was exhausted and her ears were down and as I approached her, her head went down and she cowered, fearful. She allowed us to pick her up and we took her to Ashburne Vet. She was covered in fleas and big ticks,” Cooney explained.

Through generous donations, the rescued pooch was spayed and microchipped. Toubkin added that Lady had made an amazing recovery in a short space of time.

“I’ve had her for a week, and the first day she came home with me, she was just scared of everything. But I think because of all the love she has gotten and the visitors at the vet and since her rescue, she’s become more used to people. I can only imagine what her life was like previously, but she’s such a sweet, gentle soul, that just has so much love to give.”

• If you would like to help Lady find her forever home, contact Quicha Morgado on 083 272 7201 or e-mail quichamorgado@gmail.com.