A criminal act or pure evil?

A Helikonpark family whose two dogs were poisoned along with six others in the neighbourhood on the same night was left devastated and said there was more to it than met the eye.

Also read: Dog poisoning in Eikepark, shooting in Greenhills – Mapogo’s latest crime report

Lawrence Fick, 62, said his 13-year-old son, Levy’s dogs named Thor and Simba started foaming at their mouths after allegedly being poisoned on Tuesday February 1 at around 02:00.

“Thor died and Simba managed to pull through,” he added.

Fick said his son was left devastated and traumatised, especially because he and his wife, Felicility, had given Levy the puppies as a tokens of appreciation for his performance as an athlete. He considered the dogs his friends.

We’ve tried to comfort him by reminding him that he should be grateful that at least one of his dogs survived, but it’s not easy. You can never replace an animal you were once close to.”

Fick went on to say he heard from his elder son Matthew, 38, who lives in the same street that during an attempted home invasion two of his dogs died after being poisoned.

“Before Thor died, he laid down and looked sickly, much worse than Simba. We gave Simba milk and some antibiotics as we didn’t really know what to do but we’re glad he survived,” Fick said.

“This cruel act could’ve either been criminal as a way for thugs to get into our properties, or it could be malicious. There’s also plenty of foot traffic in this neighbourhood and you wonder if the dogs were killed because pedestrians found them to be a nuisance,” he explained, adding that it was strange that the large dogs were being targeted.

“We feel quite vulnerable to criminals. If they kill our dogs, what’s the next move? We’re asking ourselves how brazen and daring are they?

Dogs are usually the first line of security in yards. We don’t want to live in fear, therefore we would appreciate more police presence to help us feel safe,” Fick said.