George pet owner heartbroken after family dog shot dead in garden
A Loerie Park resident is demanding answers after his beloved pet was killed in what he suspects was a cruel air-rifle attack.
A George resident has spoken of his heartbreak after his beloved Staffordshire bull terrier, Datie, was shot dead in his back garden, in what he believes was a calculated act of cruelty using a high-velocity air rifle.
Johan van der Merwe said he returned to his house in Mann Street after work just before 17:00 on May 29 to discover that his dog had been shot dead in the backyard, reports George Herald.
Datie sustained a single bullet wound to her head. Van der Merwe believes a high-velocity air rifle was used – a type of weapon that does not require a licence. He said he has no idea who could be responsible, as his dog had never bothered anyone and he had never received any complaints from neighbours about excessive barking.
“I can only think it was maybe a bored child who has a rifle like this, or an adult who is simply spiteful,” he said.
According to Van der Merwe, his domestic worker was at the house on the day of the incident. She left at about 16:00 and, as usual, let the dogs out into the front yard and closed the gates. However, due to some damage from recent storms, there is a gap in the fence leading to the back of the property, which allowed the dogs access to the backyard.
Van der Merwe said the only time he recalls any complaint about barking was over the Easter weekend, when the family had gone camping and hired a sleep-in pet sitter. He said he contacted the sitter at the time, and the matter was resolved.
“I’m quite perturbed about this. Who would do something like this? I’m angry and sad, but I don’t know who to be angry at.”
Investigation and legal action
The incident has been reported to both the local police and animal welfare authorities. A post-mortem will be conducted to confirm the exact cause of death, after which Van der Merwe plans to open a criminal case.
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Read original story on www.georgeherald.com
