Thirty dogs to be put down

LYDENBURG – Thirty dogs will have to be euthanized in the coming week on account of continued lockdown dumpings in town.

Cathy Schutte of Home 4 Paws, the only animal shelter in town, said that her kennels are currently filled with dumped and surrendered pets.

“I have 66 dogs in the shelter. It will soon become overcrowded and therefore I have no option but to put down almost 30 stray dogs.”

Schutte said that before lockdown she was also forced to euthanize 18 dogs.
“Since the detention period, I took in no less than 39 dogs. Half of these were puppies which were only about four to six weeks old.”

She said that the stigma that one can get the coronavirus from pets still holds ground in town.
Veterinary nurse at Longtom Animal Clinic, Etli van der Merwe, said that there is no evidence to suggest that this is possible. “The virus is very species specific.”

Apart from being filled to the brim, she is also struggling with dog behaviour issues.  “Some of the animals are showing signs of kennel stress. The causes of kennel stress are pretty clear. All of a sudden, the dog is contained in a new area, eating different food, sleeping with different bedding, surrounded by unfamiliar animals and accompanied by unfamiliar humans. All of these changes can affect pet health. Signs of kennel stress I’m witnessing include pacing, shivering or shaking, refusal to eat and lethargy.”

To add to the already mounting stress, some dogs have started fighting with each other. This week had put one of the dogs down after he attacked and severely injured others.

“I have no more choices and options left. I have to put the dogs down. The shelter is overflowing and each passing day brings in a new animal. There has not been a single day since the confinement period when I was not called out to collect a dumped or stray dog.”