TWO more shocking cases of dogs being caught in poachers’ snares have been reported. This comes after the Lower South Coast SPCA recently held its first successful snare removal meeting.
A badly injured dog managed free itself from a snare in the Ramsgate area last Friday. The dog, which had been missing for three days, returned home with the wire snare tightly wrapped around its waist. The wire had cut into the dog’s torso and back leg.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Leon Brüggemann from Margate Vet Hospital removed the wire and the brave little dog was taken to the SPCA where it is currently receiving treatment. Another dog, caught in a snare in the Munster area, was so badly injured it had to euthanised.
The SPCA’s new manager Michael Muller said he hated snares with a passion. “It’s the cruellest and most barbaric act a person can do to an animal,” he said. Mr Muller also pointed out that it is illegal to set snares and traps.
The SPCA’s first snare removal meeting last month was extremely successful with about 30 people attending. The group was divided into five smaller groups and given extensive training on snares by the South Coast’s top conservationists, Alex Skene from Umtentweni Conservancy, Craig Hosken from Crag’s View Wild Care Centre and Honorary Ranger Alan Williams.
Mr Muller said they have two ‘snare hot spots’ which the group will target in January. He encouraged residents to come along and get involved in a project that can make a huge difference.
So far it’s been a busy period for the SPCA staff who have had their hands full. The SPCA’s inspector Ernest Zulu and other staff headed a successful mobile clinic in the Lugwijini area, inland from Port Edward, two weeks ago. Nine dogs were sterilised and 109 had rabies jabs. They were dewormed and dipped. Mr Muller said it’s another important project that needs funding and called on local veterinarians to donate some of their time.
Dogs infected by parvovirus and distemper are being admitted to the SPCA’s clinic on a daily basis. Pet owners are urged to vaccinate their dogs, especially puppies, against the deadly diseases.
