An abandoned dog named Nina and her nine newborn babies were rescued from a drain in Elsies River. The scared mother had recently given birth and was desperately calling for help while trapped underground.
After being abandoned, the heavily pregnant dog must have burrowed into the drain for a warm spot to give birth. Unfortunately, she ended up trapped in this very situation.
“Nina was heavily pregnant. So Nina was dumped – Dumped on an open field in Elsies River and abandoned by those she had only loved all her life. She must’ve been so confused and scared and in her desperation to find a warm, sheltered place to give birth, she had forced her way into an impossible situation. She had safely delivered her nine puppies but she was trapped and couldn’t find a way out. Thank goodness her cries were heard from under the ground and thank goodness they fell on compassionate ears,” explains the SPCA.
The SPCA’s Inspector Siyabonga Mbukutshe soon arrived on the scene and was met by a group of little helpers who led him to the drain. Together, they began the rescue operation to bring Nina and her pups to safety.
“Nina was rescued first but she’d put her pups in quite a tight spot and it took a long time before Inspector Siyabonga had all nine tiny puppies safely on the surface,” explain the SPCA. “Nina of course checked each one over as they were handed to her, washed them and nursed them. As soon as the ninth pup was removed she was on her paws and rearranging her pups in a way that made it look like she was preparing to leave – and they say dogs can’t count!”
Nina and all nine babies are now safe, warm and well fed at the SPCA. She is producing good milk for her pups.
The SPCA warns that this situation could have ended very badly for the whole family of dogs. They add that pet abandonment is a criminal act.
“Pet abandonment is not only unnecessary because the SPCA will never turn any animal away, it is also criminal.
It is against the law for any person to deliberately or without reasonable cause or excuse abandon any animal, whether temporarily or not. Any person found guilty on a charge of animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 will automatically have a criminal record and may be sentenced to a maximum fine of up to R40,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months. Upon conviction the presiding magistrate may also declare the person unfit to own or be in possession of any animal.”
Please continue to report animal cruelty and suffering by contacting the SPCA on 021 700 4158/9 during office hours or 083 326 1604 after hours or email [email protected]. The SPCA will never divulge the details of a complainant to anyone and you can be sure of your anonymity.
Picture: Facebook / Cape of Good Hope SPCA