Moot community pleads for help to keep track of homeless dog
Hope was chased away by unknown people and has been roaming the streets of Moot for two months now with a limp on her front right leg.
Moot residents are urged to help keep track of the dog, Hope, who has been roaming the streets of Villeria for two months now.
Residents have been trying to find him and give him a safe home.
Riëtte Grobler, speaking to Rekord on behalf of the community members, said ever since Hope was chased away by unknown people, community members have been driving and walking along, setting up feeding stations in search of her.
She said Hope was found and named by community members on February 9 in the Pieter Human Park. They tried to nurture the dog in the hope of gaining its trust.
“She was extremely scared, and for three days, people in the community fed her and tried to win her trust to bring her to safety.
“They [residents] posted on Facebook, and WhatsApp groups and networked in every way they could think of to try and find her owners, but no one ever came forward.”
Unfortunately, according to Grobler, Hope was chased away by unknown people on February 12 and ran in the direction of Cunningham and Frates streets in Villieria.
“A massive search was launched with a number of people in the community joining in but the dog could not be found.”
She said they gained confidence in finding Hope when on the evening of February 14 a message was circulated that a dog that matched Hope’s description (cream coloured) was spotted in Rietfontein.
“After many back-and-forth messages with the person who reported the sighting, it was finally established – it was definitely Hope,” Grobler said.
“Volunteers went out in search but could not find her. They spoke to some of the homeless people in the area, who also confirmed that Hope has been seen numerous times in the green belt between 22nd and 24th avenues since February 12.”
Grobler said another search was launched on February 15 and the search party spent most of that Saturday searching. However, Hope remained missing, although the dog has been reported to have been seen by residents, two of whom took photos of Hope on February 14.
She said they continued to search and raise awareness and on February 16 and 20, they received leads about the dog being spotted on 21st and 19th avenues in Eloffsdal respectively. Then on March 1, they received a message of another possible sighting in Parktown Estates, but still nothing.
“Since then, community members have been driving and walking the green belt in search of Hope, setting up feeding stations and some of the homeless people even volunteered and helped by walking inside the water channel but still no sign of the dog.”
She said the community continued to search, raise awareness, put up and hand out flyers and finally on April 1, another call was received that Hope had been spotted on 20th Avenue in the green belt. It is one block from the corner where she was last seen on February 16 and people rushed over there.
“There she was! Sitting against a tree! She was extremely scared and distrustful. No one could come close to her and they knew they had to keep their distance if there was any chance of winning her trust,” recalled Grobler.
“Within minutes, she took off again in the direction of 19th Avenue. Such a smart little doggy and so street savvy that she outsmarted everyone there, and even with a few people on the scene from both 20th and 19th avenues’ sides, she could not be traced.”
Grobler said a feeding station was set up and they made arrangements with a rescue organisation that will be on standby with a trap. He said Hope just needs to eat from the same place twice, and her whereabouts must be known.
“A homeless man confirmed seeing Hope about a month ago around 18th Avenue, but when he went to look for the contacts on a flyer he had seen, it had been removed.
“Community members walked the green belt with their dogs, North and South of the channel from 22nd Avenue to 18th Avenue and even into the open areas behind Naka Bulls Rugby Club on Friday and Saturday to no avail.”
She said they received another possible sighting alert on the side of Steve Biko Road, but when volunteers got there, there was nothing. The search continued until Sunday, April 6 with no results.
“April 9 will mark two months that Hope has been on her own on the streets, fending off terrible weather conditions, scavenging for food, and trying to survive.
“During her time in Pieter Human Park, it was observed that she walked with a limp on her left front leg. The limp was once again confirmed on April 1.”
Grobler said the dog needs all the help it can get. It needs healthy food, a warm bed, and medical treatment.
“The thing is, she is so scared and so distrusting that no one has been able to get close enough to her to ascertain if she is actually a female or a neutered male.”
Grobler said the community pleads with everyone and anyone to reach out to them and keep an eye on Hope until they can reach her.
“We must know where she is and try and keep her in an area before we can get the trap to bring her to safety.
“None of us can even fathom the thought of her having to still be on the street when winter strikes,” she said.
Grobler pleaded with anyone who sees Hope to contact her on 084 755 3769 or 065 514 5714.
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