Two dogs that lost their owner in a brutal farm attack in July, were recently adopted into separate loving homes.
Leah and Chloe were left homeless on July 20 after their owner, an 81-year-old man, was murdered by intruders. His wife was seriously injured and hospitalised.
“After enduring the horrific trauma of the Cullinan farm attack, where their family was attacked and they were left homeless, these two brave souls have finally found loving homes,” said animal shelter Wetnose.
Leah and Chloe had to witness their owners being beaten and also fell victim to numerous blows. Leah even suffered a deep laceration to her shoulder.
“Upon finding this disturbing scene the next day, family members called us to help with the dogs. They were running scared and could not be caught. We eventually managed to catch Chloe after many attempts, but Leah was nowhere to be seen. We kept looking for her and finally caught her three days later,” said Wetnose.
The shelter said Leah went straight to surgery to stitch up her deep laceration, and then the hard work began: Weeks and weeks of emotional rehabilitation.
“Both dogs were petrified, they wanted to bite out of fear, and would not leave the safety of their kennels. Their journey of learning to trust again took about six weeks of patience and tons of biltong but we got there. Both dogs are now wagging their tails and happily running around again.”
The shelter said the dogs couldn’t be adopted together at once due to the toll the trauma took on their bond.
“The dogs are now starting a new chapter in separate, caring environments.”
Wetnose said during their rehabilitation, it was noticed that Leah and Chloe struggled to be near each other, often fighting if they got too close.
“It was clear that their emotional scars ran deep. With patience and love, they each began to trust again, but in their own space and time,” Wetnose said.
The shelter said the dogs will have the opportunity now to heal further in their own home.
“This heart-warming outcome wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our team and the support of the community.”
Wetnose said, however, there are still so many more other dogs like Leah and Chloe waiting for their second chance.
“Contact the centre on 082 677 8084 to learn more about the adoption process and how to lend a helping hand.”
A man was arrested on July 25 and charged with murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and possession of stolen property.
Andries Komane Sello (37) appeared in the Cullinan Magistrate’s Court on August 12 but later abandoned his bid for bail so remains in custody until trial.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana confirmed the attack.
“On July 20 around 14:00, a police officer responded to a farm attack at Plot 2 Louwsbaken in Cullinan, where he found two witnesses.”
Mahanjana said the witnesses told the officer that they had received a call from the couple’s daughter, who said her parents were not answering her calls and asked they go see how they were doing.
“When the witnesses arrived on the farm, they found an elderly man dead,” she said.
She said inside the house the officer found the man dead on the dining room floor with an open wound to his head and his feet tied with a wire.
Mahanjana said the man’s wife lay injured on the kitchen floor.
“The wife was taken to hospital, where she is receiving medical care.
Sello was arrested on July 25 at his home, where some of the stolen items were also found.”
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