The Animal Welfare Society of SA says as winter arrived, they have seen an increase in the abuse of animals.
Spokesman Allan Perrins says they are currently treating two dogs, which were burnt with piping hot water causing third degree burns.
Perrins says the owners of the dogs, Kobus, from Hanover Park, and Roxy, from Gugulethu, suspects the animals were attacked by neighbours
“Both suffered third degree burns caused by boiling hot water to most of their back and tender underbelly,” Perrins says.
“Kobus’s wounds had become infected and we noticed that he had started to cannibalise himself.
“Both of their owners are unsure of how they sustained their injuries, but suspect that their neighbours threw pots of boiling water on them.”
The Animal Welfare Society of SA says as winter arrived, they have seen an increase in the abuse of animals. Picture supplied
Perrins says they suspect Kobus was in heat and may have been injured while looking for a partner to mate with: “Kobus may have gone in search of a bitch on heat and encountered the wrath of a neighbour, but we would be remiss to exclude all other possibilities, as pet owners will rarely confess to such an accident as they feel very guilty and remorseful.”
He urged pet owners to be more responsible: “People can be indifferent and intolerant. Pet owners need to keep their pets under their control and safely confined to their properties.
“This is what the law prescribes. Burn wounds are excruciatingly painful and become easily infected if left untreated.”