[PHOTOS] Bait dog’s road to recovery
More than a month after he was found left for dead on a pavement, Bismarck is recovering.
More than 4 000 people are following the amazing story of a dog that was left for dead after allegedly being used as a bait dog.
In September Charmaine Booysens from The 9th Day Animal Shelter in Oatlands got a phone call from Brenda Meyer, owner of Husky Heaven Rescue, about an abandoned dog in the area.
“We suspect he was used as a bait dog and then dumped on the pavement where we found him. He had so much pain he showed no aggression at all, not even one growl,” she said.
Dog-baiting is a blood sport used for entertainment or gambling in which one dog is put up against another chained or confined dog. The dogs bite and tear at each other until one is incapacitated or even dead. Dog-baiting is illegal in South Africa.
Bismarck, as the boerboel cross soon was named, is no older than two years and might have been used as a bait dog for most of his life.
Charmaine rushed Bismarck to Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic where he received emergency treatment.
Today, after 33 days in recovery at the vet, Bismarck’s progress is, as Charmaine shared with the followers on the The 9th Day Facebook page, like a roller coaster ride.
“There was no sparkle in Bismarck’s eyes, it’s almost like he had given up on life.
“But we will do whatever it takes to save him and we will make sure he gets that sparkle back. He will trust again, he will know what it feels like to be loved, to be part of a family. He never will have to be afraid again.”
Bismarck already has undergone two surgeries in which puncture wounds were treated and closed with bandages, which have to be changed every three days.
Bismarck has started reacting to attention and wagging his tail, now known as the Bismarck Tail Wag. Charmaine even organised a meet and greet between the rescue dog and his followers and donors.
Charmaine thanks everyone who has given donations. Bismarck’s vet bill was paid in full. The owner of the vet, Johan van Niekerk, paid 50 per cent of the total bill, and random donations covered the remaining amount.
Asked if she would consider euthanising Bismarck, Charmaine explained she is not planning on doing so.
“Who am I, or anyone else, to decide whether Bismarck lives or dies?”
To view more photos of Bismarck and his recovery, click here.
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