AT least 36 dogs were suspectedly poisoned in Ocean View, a settlement in Jeffreys Bay, on Thursday, July 20 – leaving several animals to die a cruel death.
Thirteen of the reported 36 dogs, treated by the JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary in conjunction with Cape Cross Veterinary Clinic in Jeffreys Bay, have since died, while one dog has gone missing.
“These are only the reported incidents,” says Jessica Naudé from the JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary. “Who knows how many other dogs have suffered the same, cruel fate?”
Naudé says the affected dogs range from small to large in size – all belonging to residents who loved them very much and took good care of them.
According to Naudé, she first became aware of the problem when she drove past a listless and limping dog in the area.
With the permission of its concerned owner, the dog was taken to the sanctuary’s Community Animal Clinic for observation during the night as the veterinary clinics were already closed for the day.
Upon its arrival, a young girl arrived at the clinic with her sick dog showing the same symptoms as the first dog.
Within minutes another crying resident arrived with her dog, just as sick.
The three dogs were taken to Cape Cross Veterinary Clinic on the Friday morning, where the one dog that was almost dead, was humanely put to sleep.
According to Naudé, a post-mortem examination was conducted to establish the cause of death – revealing a swollen liver, as well as fat and bone fragments in the stomach.
It is suspected that the fat and bones were treated with an agricultural chemical.
The remaining two dogs, as well as a scourge of dogs who suffered a similar fate, were immediately treated with activated charcoal and Diomec for poisoning on the Friday and Sa-turday.
“Some of the dogs’ tongues started to turn black and were swollen as a result of the large amount of poison in the food that the animals had eaten – making it impossible to eat or drink water,” she says.
“Apart from causing severe pain, the poison affected several of the dogs so badly that they lost their eyesight overnight.
“Within a short space of time, we had no choice but to euthanise more dying dogs on the Saturday.”
According to Naudé, the poisoning of animals is in violation of the Animal Protection Act and is punishable by law.
Residents with information or who suspect that their animals are poisoned, are urged to contact Naudé at 083 650 6373 or Cindy Muller at 083 320 4173.
