Security guard cares for lost dog

Sascha-Lee Solomons

Tembisa resident and Edenvale Cemetery security guard, Ms Londiwe Mthiyane, believes in taking action to the benefit of those who cannot speak for themselves.

Ms Mthiyane, who has been working at the cemetery since June this year, took responsibility for the care and well-being of a homeless Jack Russell which made the cemetery his home.

She saw the dog for the first time a few weeks ago and she soon started feeding the animal and giving it water.

“I saw him a few times and then he disappeared. His owners came to look for him about a month ago, but I told them he was no longer at the cemetery,” she said.

“I thought he had run away and was wondering where he was. I was then notified that he was taking shelter in a hole in one of the graves,” said Ms Mthiyane.

She contacted the Edenvale SPCA and spoke to the kennel supervisor, Ms Alison Strydom.

“I informed the SPCA about the dog and the same morning Alison and another staff member came to rescue the dog,” she said.

When the SPCA arrived, it was soon realised the dog was very scared.

“When I used to feed him, he would not come out of the hole to eat. I would put the food at the edge of the hole and when I left he would come out to eat.

“I collected his bowls every afternoon and the food would be finished,” she said.

Ms Mthiyane said she felt that she was the dog’s only hope because animals cannot look after themselves.

“It is a great feeling to know the dog has been rescued. Dog owners must look after their pets and if they are lost, they should report it to the SPCA immediately,” she said.

Although the dog became her friend in a short period of time, she is happy the animal is now in a safe place.

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