The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is appealing for help to find the person who threw a sick dog “out with the trash”, leaving her to suffocate to death in a black bag in Mitchells Plain.
The shocking discovery was made by Eastridge resident Ricardo Daniel who heard desperate yelping coming from the bag dumped on a veldjie in Imperial Road on Monday.
“Daniel heard her muffled cries and found the garbage bag and opened it, effectively saving her life,” explains SPCA spokeswoman Belinda Abraham.
Dog found the garbage bag. Picture supplied
“Daniel reported the incident to a crime group on WhatsApp and he was given the SPCA’s number to call.
“After getting in touch with our control room, he waited at the dog’s side until our vehicle reached her. He is proof that not all heroes wear capes!”
She says the adult Wire Hair Terrier crossbreed was admitted to the SPCA hospital where it was discovered that her coat was infested with ticks and fleas.
“Every part of her body is filled with bumps from the ticks and fleas and we suspect she may have tick bite fever,” says Belinda.
“It appears she had been very sick and was just disposed of like rubbish.
“There is just no reason for this kind of cruelty, especially when there are various organisations like the SPCA that would have gladly taken her in.”
She says the dog is receiving treatment and is on the road to recovery. They have also given her a new name.
“We called her Lulu because it means precious; pearl; calm, peaceful and protected and it represents everything she is now and everything she will be in the future.”
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She says Lulu’s rehabilitation will cost the organisation about R20 000, which they can ill afford, and are looking at criminally charging the pooch’s owners.
“We want to hold someone accountable for this unnecessary act of cruelty and we are calling on the public to please assist us with any information that can lead to the identification of Lulu’s owners.”
If you have information or to make a donation call the SPCA on 021 700 4158/9.