Dog rescue ends in rabies scare
The so-called ‘packet pup’ has had to be destroyed.
A HEART-warming story about an ‘animal angel’ and a rescue pup, which appeared in the Umtamvuna news recently, has come to a distressing end.
The so-called ‘packet pup’ has had to be euthanised as it was possibly suffering from rabies, a deadly, infectious disease.
About two weeks ago, Port Edward animal lover Jeannette Offer heard that a man had been seen carrying a puppy in a shopping bag. Concerned about the animal’s welfare, she questioned its owner, who said he was selling it. After negotiations were complete Jeannette took home the eight-week-old pup and named it Roger.
She gave it a good bath and had it checked out by a veterinarian who vaccinated and dewormed it. Jeannette loved little Roger, as did her family when they arrived to spend a Christmas beach holiday with her. The puppy fitted in well with the other family pets and the young grandchildren loved playing with him.
Sadly, Roger fell ill. He would not eat or drink and became anti-social. When he was was taken back to the veterinarian, he was convinced the dog was suffering from rabies and said he would have to be destroyed.
The dog’s brain has been sent to Onderstepoort and the whole family, including the children, and Jeannette’s domestic worker have started the painful and extensive treatment for rabies.
Jeannette is now warning Port Edward residents and visitors to be very careful about adopting animals from doubtful sources. Of concern to all involved is the fact that when Jeannette had bought the puppy, its former owner had told her that he had more puppies for sale. While these puppies might also be infected with rabies, no one knows how to contact the man who sold Roger to Jeannette.
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