Sad animal stories of 2015
JOBURG – Animals can make us smile and give hope, but these stories left us feeling emotional.
There were a few animal unfortunate stories in 2015 that evoked strong reaction and emotion.
A Newlands resident, Phill Hewit, went for a walk with his dogs in January when he found a dead snake in a trash can in Albert’s Farm. It was later discovered that it was an African rock python. According to the NSPCA, these snakes are considered to be endangered. The snake was removed and burned by local residents.
On 17 January, Mary Venter (69) went for an evening walk with her dog in Northcliff, when the walk ended in an emergency room visit. Venter said that she had walked this route with her dog for 15 years. She walked passed a gate that looked like it was locked. She heard a loud noise, when three dogs came running toward her and her dog. “They pushed me over and pulled my dog,” said Venter. Two young people came to her rescue. According to a doctor’s note, Venter sustained multiple open wounds.
23 September was a very sad day for the Johannesburg SPCA. Their beloved cow, Honey died. According to Johannesburg SPCA, public relations officer, Jolene Beyleveld, Honey became more sickly as she grew older. “We had to make the very hard decision to put her to sleep,” said Beyleveld. Members of the SPCA said that Honey was just a calf when she went to stay at the SPCA, but the SPCA became her home where she could grow old.
A night guard of Johannesburg SPCA was hit on the head, tied to a chair and held at gunpoint during a robbery. The incident occurred on 1 October. SPCA public relations manager, Jolene Beyleveld, said that five men broke into the premises and stole five computers, a TV screen, cellphones and money. The guard was treated in hospital and went for trauma counselling.
