WHEN Puppy SOS founder, David Hanson, received a call about a homeless dog that was in really bad shape three days ago, he didn’t realise how tragic the situation was until he arrived in KwaMashu. Lassie, as she has been named, lay forlorn on the ground next to six of her pups that had been killed. What’s more, her skin was raw, swollen, covered in scabs and she was missing most of her fur. She covered in severe mange, her ears were missing chunks of skin and she was completely dehydrated and underweight.
“A passerby noticed her with a litter of dead pups lying next to her. We believe the litter had been killed by other dogs in the area and that she had fought to protect them. She wasn’t fearful at all, and seemed to welcome rescuing.
“I noticed most of her body was furless and mottled. She was covered in mites. The vet said it looked like she had had mange for a long time. She has since been vaccinated and put on recovery treatment, and I’m confident she’ll grow all her fur back.
“If you meet her and look beyond the scars and cuts, you’ll see what a sweet dog she is. Her eyes are just gorgeous, and that’s why we named her Lassie, as collies have striking brown, soulful eyes. She has been starved of attention, and all she wants is love and affection,” he said.
He said he estimated Lassie to be between four and five years old.
Hanson added Lassie was looking for a loving home and urged residents to contact him.
“She has come a long way since her ordeal. I urge residents to e-mail me on puppysoskzn@gmail.com or visit our Puppy SOS KZN Facebook page. There are hundreds of puppies that need to find homes,” said Hanson.
