The horrific death of a female Boerboel, which died after fireworks exploded in its mouth, marred the otherwise peaceful celebration of Diwali.

The dog from a community near Shayamoya, which had just produced a litter of puppies, had to be put down on November 14 due to the severity of its injuries.

Meagan Macvicar of Aloe Vet, who recovered the body, said a neighbour who witnessed the event claimed a bundle of fireworks was forced down the dog’s throat.

“She was left with her eyes bulging out and a disfigured jaw. It is unbelievable that anyone could do something like this,” said Macvicar.

After witnessing the incident, the neighbour shot the dog to end its suffering.

The body was then dumped in some bushes a few kilometres away, on the road to Glendale.

“We were doing outreach nearby and were able to find the body and take it back to the vet to be cremated,” said Macvicar.

The owner of the dog has been located, and an investigation is ongoing by the Durban and Coast SPCA.

“The owner claims that they were lighting fireworks, and the dog tried to bite one as it was being let off, which explained the injuries,” said SPCA spokesperson Tanya Fleischer.

There was also another dog on the property that had a skin condition, and it was taken into care by the SPCA.

Although the injury could be consistent with a dog biting a firework, Macvicar said it was extremely unlikely that a dog would do such a thing.

“The men were also under the influence of either drugs or alcohol when I visited them at 10 o’clock in the morning, it would not surprise me if they found animal harm to be funny,” she said.