Boerbull dragged for about 2km

A female boerbull is being treated for multiple injuries at a Roodepoort vet after it accidentally fell from a bakkie while in transit on 1 November.

“I still feel disturbed when I think about it – the dog was urinating on the road because it was terrified” – Nick Frost, eyewitness.

Nick Frost, a paramedic by profession who witnessed the incident on Albertina Sisulu Road (Main Reef Road) in Wentworth Park just before 11am says he has not witnessed anything like that in his whole career.

“The backdoor of the canopy flew open and the dog – on a choke chain – fell from the bakkie and was dragged for about 2km before I was able to get the attention of the driver.”

He says the dog was bouncing on the road and that it had this awkward look in her eyes begging for help.

“I still feel disturbed when I think about it – the dog was urinating on the road because it was terrified.”

Frost who cares deeply about animals rushed the seriously injured dog to Noordvet Veterinary Clinic in his Jeep.

Dr Johan Ferreira, a veterinarian at Noordvet in Noordheuwel says that they attended to the dog and stabilised it before it was transferred to the Ontdekkers Animal Hospital as the dog belongs to the South African Dog Academy in Roodepoort that allegedly hired her out to a security company.

“The dog had injuries to her legs, some of her bones were broken and her skin was stripped.”

He says that the driver appeared shocked about what had happened and that it seemed that the incident was not intentional.

“Her injuries could have been worse had it not been for the choke chain, as it could have choked to death on a normal chain.”

Trust Ndlovu, a Krugersdorp SPCA inspector says that they are investigating the incident.

Dr Ferreira says that at least once a month they get cases where animals jump from a vehicle such as a bakkie or fall out of car windows.

“It is important to have the dog on a choke chain and to check the length of the chain so that the dog won’t be able to jump or fall from a vehicle. Animals should not be allowed to stick their heads out of vehicle windows.”

Ndlovu says someone should always look after an animal in a moving vehicle and that animals should not be left in vehicles while the owners go shopping.

The NEWS made contact with the South African Dog Academy but allegedly they are not allowed to discuss the case as it is sub judice.