"I was busy doing a complaint about another dog in the area when I saw him. The poor dog looked like he had given up on life!" said Botha. "We respond to every single animal related call and appreciate it when the public are our eyes and ears and report problems. And while we are out on a complaint we are always on the lookout for unreported cases of cruelty.
"The law clearly states that animals must not be chained, and must have access to shelter and water," Botha told us. "But often when we approach owners to educate or warn them, we are met with rudeness and even threats, but this dog's owner was different. She seemed to be really interested in what I was saying and promised to change the way the dog was being kept. I left her with a warning.
"A week later I paid her surprise visit. My heart dropped, because there was no sign of the dog. I knocked on the door and when it opened, there he was - looking clean and glossy and wonderfully happy! I went back again last week, and he was in the house, part of the family. No more imprisonment for him!"
Many people do not understand that dogs are pack animals and they see their owners as their pack. So, to be chained outside with no access to their pack is the worst punishment - it's the same as putting a prisoner into solitary confinement.
Inspector Botha recently gave the dog's owners one of the loan kennels made by members of the public and is also arranging for the dog to be neutered by the Garden Route SPCA. The operation will be funded by those SPCA members who chose to support 'sterilizations' with their membership fee.
"If other animal lovers would like to play a part in more such happy stories, I'd encourage them to become members of the SPCA Garden Route," said Botha. "That way they know they are making a real difference!"
SPCA membership cards are available at the SPCA, the SPCA Charity Shops (York Mall Arcade, 100 York Street) and at Sports-Centre, Kloppers, George Nursery, Diskonto, The Office, Health & Living, Zucchini Restaurant in Wilderness, and at The Scissor Jockey.
The dog now has a new home.
