Spca provides home for factory dogs

The flames from the factory licked at his fur.

His yowls of fear echoed to the crumbling of the walls beside him.

His chain weighed down on his neck as he realised his fate was inevitable.

His yowls died down, the strength to bark left his body as the smoke clogged his chest.

He lay down, his nose caught the whiff of burning fur and flesh, smelling himself.

Resigning himself to death, he tried to howl once more, but instead all that came out was a dying whimper and his muscles contracted in death.

This was how the dog trapped by his chain finally succumbed to his end, while the world around him burned.

“We looked up and the smoke was everywhere; we just ran! We didn’t know he was still trapped inside.”

Tears welled up in the young man’s eyes as he recollected how the flames forced workers to abandon their posts and flee the building.

It was only after workers exited the building they realised two of the four guard dogs on site were trapped in the flames.

“One of the dogs was still tied at the side of the building. We heard him crying, barking and scratching the door but we couldn’t do anything. ”

Fortunately the second dog was not completely trapped, and one brave worker rushed in as the flames waned.

This is a danger posed to any pet keeper who chooses to keep their dog chained, explained SPCA manager, Heather Gero.

“Dogs should be allowed to have an open space to themselves. We are going to conduct a full investigation into the treatment of the dogs on this property,” said Mrs Gero.

The three remaining dogs who survived the fire have been taken to the SPCA, to stay in a ‘stress-free environment’.

According to Mrs Gero, with properties as large as the factory’s, the dogs’ owners should have built a small pen rather than keeping the dogs chained.

“We understand the need for guard dogs being locked up during working hours, but we also advise not to chain the dogs, to avoid them hurting themselves or others.”

Mrs Gero said once investigations into the matter were completed, she would release a full statement in the hope that another animal would never lose its life in the same manner.

On Tuesday, Mrs Gero said the three dogs were doing well at the SPCA, and were quite comfortable, relaxing and recovering from the ordeal.

She said the dogs would be kept at the SPCA until the factory yard was suitable for their return.

Visit our websites to watch the rescue and fire, www.newcastleadvertiser.co.za .

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