Puppy was stoned, then rescued

The dog, who was once believed to be a cursed pup, is recovering at his new home, Kitty and Puppy Haven on Modderfontein Road in Midrand.

The puppy was rescued after a relative of the family that owned him called the shelter in fear that he might be killed or seriously injured. The 10-to-12-week-old puppy had been stoned because he was thought to bring bad luck to the family. Even after the family had chased him away, he kept returning for food.

The haven’s Samantha Berger said, “He is still very traumatised. [He was so scared] he defecated and urinated on me when we went to fetch him yesterday. He still doesn’t trust people.”

The puppy is not up for adoption just yet. “Give him a week, he has been de-wormed and is being well fed,” said Berger.

“People are silly. Animals have the same feelings as human beings. That’s all we are trying to say.”