Four-legged fighter survives alleged axe attack
“When we were exiting the farm, I saw a man dragging something along the tarred road. As we got closer, I saw he was dragging a dog by its hind legs. He then flung the dog onto the side of the road,” explained Mrs Kader.
Tossed around like yesterday’s trash; a mixed breed dog was left bloodstained, battered and bruised.
Xela and Yunus Kader never expected their trip to the shooting range to end with rescuing a dog from almost being hacked to death on August 30.
“When we were exiting the farm, I saw a man dragging something along the tarred road. As we got closer, I saw he was dragging a dog by its hind legs. He then flung the dog onto the side of the road,” explained Mrs Kader.
They pulled over and asked the culprit what he was doing. Mrs Kader claimed he used hand gestures to indicate that he wanted to slit the dog’s throat. She further alleged he was carrying an axe in his hand.
“The dog looked like it was dead,” she said. “When I took a closer look, I saw that it was unconscious and bleeding.”
Mr Kader attempted to communicate with the man. However, the only thing Mrs Kader could think of was getting the injured mutt to a veterinarian.
“We put the dog in the car, phoned Doctor Barry Rafferty and asked him to meet us at the clinic,” she said.
The Kaders were fearful the dog would die before they got to the animal clinic.
“He hung in there. Dr Rafferty put him on a drip immediately.”
Newcastle SPCA was contacted shortly after the incident occurred. A full-scale investigation was launched, with Elize van Rooyen spearheading a manhunt for the suspect.
Ms van Rooyen and Mrs Kader returned to the scene of the crime the following day in an effort to locate the suspect.
While on their way back into town, Mrs Kader spotted the axe-wielding man in a field nearby.
“The man claimed he wanted to get rid of the dog because it killed a goat. Nothing gives someone the right to harm an animal the way he did; it was completely unnecessary!” exclaimed Ms van Rooyen.
She warned residents in the area where the incident took place to exercise caution when interacting with the suspect.
“Research suggests if someone is capable of abusing an animal, they can just as easily abuse a child.”
Mrs Kader was grateful to Ms van Rooyen for going above and beyond to track the suspect down.
“I didn’t realise how hard their jobs are and how strong you have to be emotionally to see and deal with what they do.”
On September 1, Dr Rafferty said the patient was recovering well, despite being concussed. The injuries suggested the dog sustained a hard knock to the head. His left eye was also damaged by the blows.
In the meantime, the furry fighter will continue receiving treatment before returning to the SPCA.
“He will be up for adoption once he is fully recovered and over the shock of the ordeal,” said Ms van Rooyen.
The accused will be charged according to the terms of various subsections of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. He will be held accountable for torturing, beating and terrifying the animal, among others.
If the State can secure a conviction, the perpetrator will have a criminal record, face jail time or be issued with a hefty fine.
“He may also be declared unfit to own or be in possession of any animal. If he contravenes this particular sentence, he will be arrested immediately,” said Ms van Rooyen.
The Kaders maintained that if people are incapable of loving and caring for their pets, they shouldn’t have any.
“No animal deserves to be treated so cruelly. I can only imagine what was going through this puppy’s mind when he was being beaten,” concluded Mrs Kader.
If you would like to give this precious pet a loving home, contact the SPCA on 034 318 2346. Alternatively, visit their offices on 1 Sampson Street, Barry Hertzog Park.
