GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Sixty severely neglected boerboels were rescued by the Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) from a breeding facility in Hartenbos last week.
On arrival, inspectors were horrified to discover the starving dogs confined in small electric-fenced enclosures with no bedding, and in some instances, no sufficient shelter.
Senior inspector Cheri Cooke of the NSPCA said the saddest part was that all of the animals could have been saved or spared their suffering sooner.
"Tragically, by the time we reached them, it was too late for so many." She says upon closer inspection of the emaciated dogs, many appeared to be suffering from untreated injuries and painful pressure sores.
"Yet, in an act that can only be regarded as criminal, these poor animals continued to be exploited for profits," Cooke says.
"We urge any owners or breeders who ever find themselves in this position to please put the health and welfare of your animals first and foremost and reach out to your local SPCA for support."
A case of animal cruelty has been opened and Cooke says their veterinary and inspectorate teams are now processing all the evidence required to bring about a successful prosecution for the abuse of the dogs.
The SPCA has removed all of the dogs from the facility. Those with any chance of survival have been placed in quarantine kennels where they are receiving veterinary attention, the best nutrition and most importantly, the love and care of which they have been so severely starved.
This is a developing story.
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The dogs' condition gave new meaning to the expression "skin and bones".
Inspector Estelanie van Wyk and kennel carer Christopher Koppies attending to an emaciated dog.
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