The management and staff at Amanzimtoti SPCA has urged the public to beware of a syndicate that is administering false vaccinations to pets. So far, three dogs that were brought to the SPCA, have already died after they all were injected with the same deadly vaccine.
The fraudulent activity has been reported in various areas in Durban. It also seems that these vaccines are offered in rural areas that do not have veterinarian clinics. Pet owners are misled into believing that they are helping their animals, while the injection slowly kills them. Officials at Amanzimtoti SPCA are still investigating what the liquid in the vaccines is; however, Durban SPCA has reported that animals in its jurisdiction were injected with Virbamec which is used to inject farm animals for the treatment of parasites.
Pet owners who have used this service have reported that the men who administer the vaccines have been travelling in white unmarked vehicles. Dogs that were injected with the vaccine have all shown similar symptoms. These symptoms include severe swelling around the neck and abscesses that leads to necrosis (dead tissue) which results in death.
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The agonising cries from a puppy that underwent an invasive surgery after she was injected with a false and deadly ‘five in one and rabies’ vaccine, echoed through Amanzimtoti SPCA on Tuesday, 25 February.
The cries were enough to bring a tear to any animal lover’s eye. The puppy, Snowy, was lucky to have survived.
Snowy was fortunately treated before the vaccine could do any more damage to her little body. The area around her neck had to be operated on to place in drains that will reduce the pus caused by the abscesses. The drain will be removed in five days; however, she is now placed under strict observation at the SPCA.
Manager of Amanzimtoti SPCA, Tracey Girling, stressed that only authorised personnel should vaccinate animals. “The injection will be handed over to the Department of Agriculture for further investigations. We urge the community that if they see unauthorised people offering vaccines to report it to either the police or the SPCA. We urge members of the public to be vigilant and ensure the health and safety of their animals by using a registered veterinary practice or local SPCA for their pet’s inoculations. These little dogs are dying an excruciating painful death. It is just heart-breaking. Any information will be valuable for our investigations,” she added.
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Girling further stressed that only veterinarians, SPCA officials and members from the Department of Agriculture may inoculate any animal.
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