WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Two dogs euthanised due to negligence
A case of negligence was opened against owners who moved away and left their two dogs to fend for themselves.
Two dogs had to be put down due to their owners’ negligence.
RandWest SPCA manager and inspector René van Straten explained they received a call from a property owner who discovered a Great Dane and a Jack Russel on the property after the tenants had moved.
The SPCA then contacted the owners who admitted they had to move in a hurry and leave the dogs behind.
According to Van Straten, the dogs were severely emaciated after being left to fend for themselves for three months.
“At that stage, they already had organ failure and rehabilitating them would have been a problem. The dogs were already on their way out, they would have died within a few hours. The only humane thing we could do was to euthanise them,” Van Straten said.
She added they must have received water from somewhere to have survived that long on their own.
“If a person is unable to take care of their animals they should drop them off at the SPCA where they can receive care instead of just leaving them behind. Our doors are always open. We will not turn any animal away. It does not matter what the circumstances are, we will take them in without hesitation, no questions asked.”
She added they also have kennels where people can drop animals off. She noted they do have transportation issues, but if people can drop their animals off they would take them in.
“The emotional toll abandonment takes on animals is another concern. They only know their owners and the yard they grew up in and if one or both goes away they do not understand. It is also against the law to abandon animals. A case against the owners has been opened according to the Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962, which is under investigation.”
Van Straten mentioned animals such as these two that had to be euthanised are a regular expense for them which is why they need donations to continue doing the important work they do.
