An oulike dog has had to be put down after he was skinned alive.
The Maltese poodle, called Snowy, was found by his owners with 50% of his skin removed on New Year’s Day.
Allan Perrins, of the Animal Welfare Society of SA, says they suspect Snowy had been skinned.
He explains the hondjie had fled the sound of fireworks and was later found bleeding by his owners on their property in Ottery.
“His owners suspect that he got off the property between midnight and 8.30am on New Year’s Day when they discovered him curled up in a bloody heap on their back verandah,” says Perrins.
“They noticed that a large section of skin was missing from his body leaving his abdomen, underbelly and back legs naked and exposed.”
Perrins says they first thought the dog had been wounded by someone placing a nappy filled with fireworks around the abdomen.
But on closer examination by a veterinarian, they learnt Snowy had been skinned alive and sadly had to put him down.
“One thing for certain is that this was no accident,” says Perrins.
“This was a deliberate cowardly act of cruelty against an innocent, terrified and defenceless family pet.
“He was rushed to hospital where the full extent of his injuries became apparent. The heinous nature and extent of his injuries were so severe and pain so excruciating that the nursing staff were left with no choice but to immediately, humanely end his pain and suffering.”
Perrins says they are now appealing for information to help find the perpetrator.
“We have launched an official investigation into this savage act and begun to unravel the mystery behind this brutal, deliberate act of animal cruelty and are determined to track down those responsible and appeal to anyone who may have any information to contact Senior Inspector Mark Levendal on 021 692 2626 or 082 601 1761.