A dog has been found buried up to its forelegs on an open field in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, this week.
When rescuers dug the petrified pit bull out, they made another horrific discovery - the animal’s spine had been crushed.
Inspector Mark Levendal of the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa in Philippi says he was contacted by a concerned member of the public on Monday.
He says the dog, a brown pit bull, had more than half its body under sand on the open field and was in immense pain.
Inspector Levendal with the help of the resident managed to dig out the animal.
But the dog was unable to stand and this was when he realised something was very wrong.
“I was contacted by a member of the public about a dog that was literally buried alive on an open field in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain,” explains Inspector Levendal.
HELP: Mark Levendal assessing the dog
“On my arrival I found a brindle pit bull terrier buried waist deep, and in excruciating pain.
“No owner was in sight and it was clear that the dog had been there for a considerable time.
“Once I managed to dig the dog free with the assistance of the caller, I noticed that the dog sustained a possible spinal injury as it was unable to walk or stand up.”
The inspector says he realised the dog could not be saved and took it to the AWS premises where vets were forced to euthanise the dog.
“The patient was medically assessed and found to have a broken spine and unfortunately had to be humanely euthanised,” he says.
The AWS will now lay a charge of animal cruelty and asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them or the police.