Lost dog found trapped in Mt Moreland snare, highlighting the need to address the growing issue
The dog, believed to be a lost pet because it is neutered and understands commands, had deep infected wounds when collected by a passerby.
Deep, raw wounds in the neck of a Mount Moreland dog have again emphasised the need for snare removal in the area.
The dog, believed to be a pet because it is neutered and understands commands, was found by Mark Wilson and Alana Verhagen, wandering between Mount Moreland Road and the M27 on January 31. The couple took the animal to Sandra Wilson, Mark’s mother, as they could not care for the four-year-old dog.
“He was so hot and just couldn’t stop scratching due to how many fleas he had on him,” said Verhagen.
“But he was just so happy to be rescued. He jumped in the car like he was on his way to the beach and curled up on the floor of the back seat.”
It is believed someone must have released the pup because he could never have freed himself once trapped. The dog’s wounds were infected. Sandra took the dog to the Umhlanga vet, where it was anaesthetised and treated.
Snares on the wetland conservancy have been an issue for decades, and even pets are falling victim to traps. This is not the first time a dog has been caught or injured because of snares in the area. This incident highlights the impact illegal snare hunting is having on local wildlife and domestic animals.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife honorary officer, Aden Pontus, says snares are devastating the natural wildlife. Pontus said previous snare sweeps collected 198 snares over one weekend. “Snare hunting is detrimental to the wildlife; the problem is out of hand,” said Pontus.
“The hunters might set 50 snares but only go back and check a fraction of the traps until they find a catch. Often, they do not check the other traps, so any animal caught in a snare will die. The body will rot, and the meat will be inedible.”
Sandra is trying to find the dog a new home. In the meantime, a benevolent donor paid R5 000 towards the dog’s food and vet bills.
Contact Snare Aware on Facebook for help with removing snares. Donations welcome.
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