Members of SA Bush Warriors braved heavy rain and dense bush to rescue two dogs trapped in snares near Mbombela this week, reports Lowvelder.

Missing Boerboel tied to tree

The owners of a Boerboel named Thor became concerned when he went missing on Kaapsehoop Road close to their farm. The cold, however, did not stop a Bush Warriors rescue team from setting out to search for him.

“We arrived early and immediately began sweeping the area using our fine-tuned search-and-rescue methodology,” said Jaco Klopper of the organisation.

After hours of intense tracking and walking more than 35km, they found him caught in a snare. But what they discovered upon finding him was even more disturbing.

“The dog had been removed from the snare, with the snare still around his neck, carried into a dense, overgrown area and tied up by the poacher – seemingly left there to die the most horrific death imaginable.”

Klopper said Thor had severe swelling to his head, visible wounds, swollen lips and was severely dehydrated after being trapped for about three days without food or water.

Luckily, he was safely removed from the scene and immediately transported to a veterinarian, where he was admitted for treatment.

Team finds trapped Weimaraner in Alkmaar

When the team returned after the rescue, they received another call from the distressed owner of a Weimaraner, Daya, who had vanished in the Alkmaar area.

Also read: The war on wire snares: Mbombela is worst hit

“During our sweep, we located five areas where animals had previously been caught – including evidence involving two porcupines, a duiker and what appeared to be a wild cat species.

“We made absolutely sure the missing dog was not caught in the immediate area before widening our search towards neighbouring farms,” said Klopper.

After an hour, the team located Daya. “What followed was an incredible team effort. Everyone played their part, working together to get the dog safely recovered,” Klopper said.

Daya was immediately transported to a veterinarian for assessment and treatment.

Klopper thanked everyone involved in the rescue and appealed to the public to contact SA Bush Warriors if they come across an animal caught in a snare.

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