Bekkie reunited with her family
It was on Sunday, May 8 when Strubenvale resident, Johan Laas, experienced a heartbreaking story that turned into a Mother's Day miracle and SPCA rescue, a few days later.
When Johan arrived on one of his rental properties, he was requested by a SAPS official to accompany him to the SAPS offices in Springs.
It was upon arrival when Johan parked his white Mercedes-Benz C200 Kompressor in the official parking of the SAPS premises, because he had his dog, Bekkie, in the car.
“I was given permission as well as complete assurance that my vehicle and my beloved pet, Bekkie, would be safe,” explains Johan. “We then entered straight into the official offices for consultations.”
Johan’s wife, René Laas, arrived at the premises shortly thereafter.
When Johan and his wife went out minutes later, to check on Bekkie in the car, their worst nightmare had come true: Bekkie and the car were gone.
“My wife and I realised that my car and my dog were missing from the parking lot,” explains Johan.
It was at this point when the SAPS sent out a broadcast to the SAPS radios and sent out patrol vehicles to look for the missing car, which was the least of Johan’s concerns.
All he could think about was Bekkie.
“I didn’t care about the vehicle – they could have taken it,” he says. “All I could think about was my beloved Bekkie.”
With all the assistance from the SAPS, the car was recovered at an abandoned truck yard of Penta Transport, in Daggafontein.
Bekkie, however, was nowhere to be found.
On May 10, Johan and René headed to the Springs SPCA and were assisted by Liezel Kruger, who is an inspector and kennel manager.
“Liezel promptly assisted us and gave us emotional support in abundance,” says Johan. “She went beyond the call of duty to assist us.”
Within an hour of heading home, the Laases received a phone call from Liezel who told them that a dog fitting Bekkie’s description had been spotted and trapped in an alleyway at the Springs Clinic in 1st Avenue.
They were informed that an SPCA van was already en route to the clinic.
“We immediately left for the clinic and were met by a very helpful and understanding Koezett van Eerden,” says Johan, “together with the security staff that was on duty. She mentioned that Bekkie had been trapped there since Sunday afternoon, May 8.”
When the Laases rushed to the alleyway, there stood their miracle.
Bekkie was reunited with her family.
“There my princess was,” says Johan. “This was our Mother’s Day miracle.”
“The fulfillment we have received from this miracle story makes what we do worthwhile,” says Liezel of the SPCA. “Our jobs are filled with many challenges and criticism from the outside, but when such things happen, it makes it all worthwhile.”
The Laases expressed their sincerest gratitude to the SPCA, the SAPS and Koezett from the clinic.
“All of them have made a miracle happen,” he says. “Bekkie is unharmed, safe and reunited with her family.”
