Warning: Graphic content

GEORGE NEWS - The Garden Route SPCA (GRSPCA) is opening two cases of animal abuse after two separate incidents of gross neglect of injured dogs.

On Thursday 5 March, at approximately 20:00, trainee inspector Andrea Auerbach received a call from a dog owner in Pacaltsdorp who told her his dog had been bitten the previous Saturday, 29 February. "He said her condition suddenly deteriorated and we needed to collect the dog because he didn't want to touch her," Auerbach said.

When Auerbach arrived, the dog, Lady, was lying on the ground almost lifeless. "She was still breathing but a sickening smell was coming from her," she said.

Lady's untreated wounds had become infected and maggots were crawling in an open wound in her neck. She was loaded into the SPCA vehicle by the owner's son who used plastic bags to cover his hands.

On arrival at the SPCA clinic, Lady was unresponsive. She was still alive but due to the nature and deterioration of her wounds, the decision was made to euthanise her to end her suffering.

The second call-out regarding a sick dog came from Thembalethu on Sunday evening. This incident was described by inspector Colleen Thysse as one of the worst cases of neglect she has seen in her life.

"When I arrived on the scene I was absolutely horrified to find the dog lying on the grass. He was alive, but not moving, and had maggots crawling from his eyes and his ears. Every time he blinked more maggots came out," she said.

Thysse rushed the clearly suffering, dying dog to the SPCA clinic where it was humanely euthanised. She said the owner claimed to have asked her neighbour to phone the SPCA on Friday, but the call was only received on Sunday. It is expected that a post mortem will shed some light on the cause of the dog's injuries.

GRSPCA manager, Salomé Bruyns said they are currently investigating the matter and will open a case shortly. "Although SPCA inspectors are trained to compile dockets, we and other animal welfare organisations can only bring the cases to the attention of police. It is only in our mandate to open the cases, from there on the police must do further investigation and take the cases to court. It is for this reason that we have to commend Conville Police Station, that has an officer dedicated to combating animal cruelty. We look forward to other local forces following their example," she said.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW

Maggots were crawling from the dog's ears and eyes.

Lady was nearly dead when trainee inspector Andrea Auerbach arrived.

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'