IT is two weeks into the recovery of Dino, the mange-riddled dog rescued from Shakaskraal, and now things have taken a slight turn for the worse.
His rescuer, Gianna Scoulelis, who is also the founder of Animally Haven, announced yesterday that Dino’s ears would have to be amputated due to the severity of his mange and skin infections.
Scoulelis told the Northglen News shortly after the rescue that it was one of the worst cases of animal abuse that she had seen in her 20 years of activism.
Not only was he extremely emaciated, covered in ticks, mites, fleas and sarcoptic mange, but he was also riddled with sores. His tail was even chopped off, she added.
What’s more, she said she believed his owner moved and simply left him to fend for himself.
“I first spotted him in the area five months ago. He was healthy with a beautiful black coat. And then recently I noticed him getting thinner and losing his fur, so I began putting out food to gain his trust and rescue him. However, it has been a long struggle to capture him,” she said.
The Durban North Neighbours Facebook page has continued its support of the neglected dog, with with hundreds of Rands already having been collected for his treatment and rehabilitation.
Scoulelis, however, appealed for more assistance as his veterinary bills continue to increase.
E-mail tracym@profileholdings.co.za.
