Secunda-residents are asked to leave feral dog Buddy alone

SECUNDA – Animal welfare organisations in the area are pleading with dog owners who are callous about keeping their animals in their yards, to be more responsible.

They also urge motorists to more considerate of animals in the road.

This comes after a Jack Russell which has become quite streetwise, was run over in front of Santie Zietsman crèche in Nelson Mandela Drive last week.

Ms Heidi van Zyl, a local animal lover who is also a member of Feral Watch & TNR, became quite acquainted with the pooch and her companion.

Ms Van Zyl dubbed the dog Pippy and her very feral companion Buddy.

“I think these two knew every inch of Secunda and had their regular visiting spots,” she said.

Pippy belonged to a woman in Letaba Street, but the animal was left to its own devices.

Feral Watch & TNR was very involved with helping the owner care for her animals. They went as far as supplying and erecting a fence around the property. However, the fence can only be effective if the gate is also kept closed.

“The owner seemed unconcerned when Pippy left the yard and stayed away for days on end. In the end, Pippy hardly ever went home. She even had a litter of puppies in the veld near mini Pick ‘n Pay,” explained Ms Van Zyl.

The animal organisations helped with rehoming the puppies. Pippy was not sterilised, because she eluded being captured. She recently again ran off because the gate was left open.

Ms Van Zyl said Pippy was wary of people and it took a long time to gain her trust.

“I have kept an eye on her for about a year and she came to know me. She loved the viennas I fed her. The two dogs were spotted near the SAVF offices last week and I went there to see if she was ok. I saw her run across the road after Buddy and I showed oncoming motorists to slow down. Unfortunately, a third car came speeding past and ran her over. The motorist did not even stop after he killed Pippy.”

She has since been trying to gain Buddy’s trust. He was still in the area near the Sasol Club and Kruik over the weekend.

Feral Watch wants to try and keep Buddy in this area where a volunteer has offered to feed him. He even has a kennel.

They are now asking residents to leave him be and not to try and call or catch him.

“Don’t hoot or call him, he is terrified of people and will only trust Heidi van Zyl, not totally, but her voice calms him down, only at a distance though.

“Please refrain from trying to catch him because he will freak out and get into traffic,” pleaded Ms Nicolette van Zyl, founder of Feral Watch & TNR.

Ms Van Zyl (Heidi) has been able to get Buddy taking food out of her hand.