METRO Police Dog Unit came under the spotlight last week after the media got wind that it was facing a shortage in dog care essentials. Media reports indicated that the unit was in dire need of food for its dogs, shampoo and other essential items.
In response to the media reports, a community pet rescue organisation responded by collecting the necessary items but when they arrived at the Metro K9 Unit in Kenyon Howden Road, they were turned away.
An angry and disappointed Farrah Khan Maharajh, founder and chairperson of Feeding the Furballs, said her organisation was very concerned about the dogs and just wanted to help. “We have been in contact with Metro Police dog handlers since last week when the story broke and are completely confused by the reaction we received,” she said.
“We normally deal with rescues. This was the first time time we had tried to assist government. We could have donated the items to rescue pets in need, but the public had made a stand to assist these working dogs and were were only too happy to oblige,”she said.
The organisation appealed to sponsors to assist while donations also poured in from pet lovers in the Durban community who rallied to assist. “The dog handlers told us what they needed and we sourced it from suppliers. Food was sponsored and donations came from all across SA. Everyone is hurt by what has been a slap in the face for animal lovers. We want to know the truth about what is going on in the Metro K9 Unit,” she said.
“We are not off the street, we are a registered non profit organisation with the Department of Social Development and a registered public beneficiary organisation, so we are so saddened and heartbroken over what has happened. We went there with the best intentions, not to point fingers or judge,” she said.
Sadly, after sourcing a large vehicle to accommodate the load of items and driving to the Metro K9 Unit, they were turned away. The donation of food, stainless steel food bowls, toys for each dog, shampoo, and a specially put together care pack of a raw hide treat, a hoof and dewormers for each dog, was rejected.
“We were expecting to take photos with the dogs and handlers but we didn’t even get the opportunity to give them the donations. Even if they were afraid of the food being contaminated, they could have accepted the toys and brand new food bowls. The handlers we spoke to were not there and the man who was there was quite rude and completely rejected us and our donations. We tried getting in touch with the handlers we spoke to initially but there seems to be a gag order as nobody is talking to us,” she said.
Since the disappointing turn of events, Khan Maharaj said she was tasked with calling all sponsors to let them know what had happened. “Many were also saddened but also wanted to know what’s going on at the unit. We don’t believe things could have suddenly improved in a matter of days. A lot of the sponsors have said we could redistribute the goods at our discretion to rescues in need.
Despite requests for comment from eThekwini Head of Communications, Tozi Mthethwa nothing had been received at the time of going to print.
