Popular Pierre van Ryneveld security dog recovering well
Snitch was injured following an attempted break-in at the billboard she protects along the N1.
Snitch, a dog from Pierre van Ryneveld, is recovering well after suspected thieves injured her last Saturday, 4 May.
A well-known character in the community, Snitch protects a large City Gates billboard made of storage containers along the N1.
Waggable spokesperson Lyndré Warricker said the dog was injured on Saturday evening following an attempted break-in at the billboard’s storage container housing the office.
“Snitch alerted the worker who lives on site that something was happening.
“Another time, people trying to break in left because of her barking, but this time they were more aggressive.”
She suspected the trespassers had either kicked or hit Snitch.
“We brought her to Pierre Van Ryneveld Vet, and with contributions from the community, we could get her the care that she needed.”
She said the Pierre van Ryneveld community looked after Snitch.
“I have some people even paying R50 every month, just so that Snitch can have her deworming, food, and tick [and flea] treatment. There is always a quick response when we post in the community groups.”
Cheryl Wehrhahn from Waggable Training and Behaviour, who coordinates Snitch’s care, said the dog has lived at the billboard for several years, after she first arrived as a malnourished puppy.
Snitch made it her new home when security workers who lived at the billboard began feeding her their own food.
She is now a healthy eight-year-old who has won hearts in the community.
Wehrhahn said that Snitch has kept the area safe.
“There is no dumping there, there are no squatters, and she has been great for [preventing] break-ins.”
She said when she met Snitch, she assumed she was lost but was surprised when the community told her they knew the dog.
“They said, no man, it’s Snitch, she lives at the billboard!”
Wehrhahn said as soon as she noticed that Snitch was not herself after the attempted break-in, she knew help was needed.
“I contacted Daryl Hardy, the owner of the billboard, and said we need help.
“He immediately said we should fix her.
“I just want to get her back into the veld, so she can be happy.”
Anton Larkins from the Lyttelton Sector 3 CPF Joint Operations Centre (JOC) also came to check on Snitch after she was released from the vet after surgery.
He said Snitch was well known to the community, and assisted the JOC in keeping the community safe, as the billboard property borders many houses in Pierre van Ryneveld.
Dr Tumelo Ramoabi said Snitch was recovering well.
“She came in very flat, and she hadn’t eaten for a couple of days.
“Her temperature was 40.5, so we ran some blood work, X-rays and ultrasounds, just to rule out everything.”
Ramoabi said that they also sterilised Snitch, which would help prevent mastitis in the future.
** Please note that this article has been amended.
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