A HILLARY family is still in shock after witnessing a group of men attempting to cut the tongue of a puppy in their neighbour’s property on Tuesday last week (2 February). 

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“My wife was cooking and I was outside with my son. My wife heard a puppy yelping and turned the stove off to go and look. The yelping turned into screaming by this puppy,” said Duane James*.

Blade

“My son followed my wife. My wife looked over the wall and saw four men pinning down a puppy of about 12 weeks, maybe a little older, to the floor. One of the men had a minora razor blade in his hand,” he continued.

“My wife asked him what they were doing and the response was “we are cutting out the worm so the dog can eat.”

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My wife tried to explain that the dog needs to be dewormed and one of the men replied “well we don’t have money”. They simply continued with what they were doing,” said James.

“By this point my son was screaming hysterically asking if the dog is being killed and if they are cutting his tongue out? My wife was by now also extremely traumatised, trying to calm our son and shouting at these guys to stop,” he said.

James said the four men just hurled obscenities at his wife and told her to mind her own business.

“I approached the wall and told them to stop and that I will be calling the police. The men all laughed and I was told there is nothing I can do,” he said.

Police

At some point the men seemed to realise that James wasn’t kidding about calling the police.

“When these guys realised that SAPS was actually going to come they jumped in the vehicle with the puppy and continued to shout obscenities to me and my wife,” he said.

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James confirmed his wife had reported the matter to Bellair SAPS and said he would be adding an affidavit to the report to help assist in the investigation.

“We have reported the matter but a case was not opened yet, however I was contacted by SAPS and advised when I’m ready I can call them set up a time to do all the paper work which I intend doing this week as I only came back Saturday,” said James, who had been away in the days following the incident.

Property owner

James said the owner of the property neighbouring his home works out of the province.

“We have always had a really good relationship with her. When she is not here, she has people that house-sit,” he said, explaining that the men with the puppy were not known to him.

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“She has apologised for what happened,” said James. 

He said his neighbour was unaware of the incident. 

Trauma

“We have a dog. She was also outside as she follows my son everywhere. When he started screaming hysterically she became visibly stressed. Panting, ears pulled back and pacing,” said James.

“Our six-year-old son is still traumatised by the event,” said James. 

“He will randomly ask about the puppy.” 

James said he and his wife have reassured their son that the puppy is still alive and well and being cared for by people at the Kloof SPCA.

SPCA

It has since been confirmed that two puppies had been confiscated from the property by the Durban & Coast SPCA. 

Barbara Patrick, manager at Kloof and Highway SPCA confirmed that the puppies had been dropped off at their facility for treatment. 

“Both pups are being treated in our clinic currently,” said Patrick.

“The Kloof and Highway SPCA was not at the scene of these horrific incidents sadly but do not condone the animal cruelty which took place, and are investigating the incidents currently.”

*The name of the Hillary resident has been changed to protect his anonymity at his request.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting