Discovery of emaciated dogs rock Glen Anil
Rescuers suspect that the dogs were dumped on North Coast Road and left for dead.
IT was a race against the clock as local residents rallied their support in a desperate attempt to rescue four badly neglected dogs in Glen Anil on Sunday.
The canines were found on North Coast Road extremely emaciated and covered in mange. Their rescuers suspect that the dogs were dumped on the roadside and left for dead. They were reportedly spotted by members of the community for two days prior to the rescue.
Locals, Robyn and Troy Browne were reportedly first on the scene. When Durban North resident Denbeigh van der Merwe spotted the duo on her way to Pietermaritzburg they had managed to secure one of the hounds, now known as Ziggy.
Van der Merwe felt compelled to stop and assist. “We struggled to catch the other three dogs. We had no leads and were trying to coax them with food. But they were all terrified,” she said.
Eventually she turned to Glen Anil resident Shirley Berko, an animal lover who she knew was well connected with local animal rescue organisations.
“We weren’t making progress and wanted some insight and professional assistance,” added Van der Merwe. However, all the contacts provided by Berko were a dead end. Most animal orgainsations were encumbered and unable to assist.
With little luck Van der Merwe once again turned to Berko for assistance. Within minutes she and Shannon Bowden of Husky Rescue KZN joined the efforts.
Bowden, hailed as the ‘dog whisperer’ soon managed to secure the other three dogs. Gunther, the weakest of the lot had to be carried as he was far too weak to support his weight (10kgs).
“We know they were all pets, and owned by the same person as they were found with the same collars,” said an outraged Berko.
“When we found them I can only describe them as broken – inside and out. They had emotionally and physically given up. On the first two nights we feared Gunther’s body would just give in,” said Berko.
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