BLUE Bundu Brigade, a non-profit animal rescue organisation, has expressed its concern over the alarming rise in cases of severe animal neglect, particularly with puppies. One of the directors at Blue Bundu Brigade, Karen Janisch, highlighted a few of their distressing rescues that have been carried out in recent weeks.

WARNING: Graphic images – not for sensitive readers.

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Janisch said the group was called very early in the morning of January 13 when three two-week-old puppies were found lying in a resident’s yard.

The property owner took the puppies to Blue Bundu Brigade where they were found cold and distressed. After the puppies had been warmed, fed, and medicated, it was established that the two males were badly infested with maggots.

“Despite all interventions we lost both males. The little girl is thriving, and we started her on solids already,” said Janisch.

In another distressing incident on January 11, a litter of four one-week-old puppies from Dassenhoek was surrendered to Blue Bundu Brigade after their mother died suddenly.

“We were not expecting to find them infested with a mass number of ticks. We took over 40 ticks off one pup. All the pups were anaemic and treated. Our team worked with them day and night to pull them through and as we were making progress, we lost three pups in two days. The last pup is thriving and started on solids,” said Janisch.

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Among the string of distressing cases, Blue Bundu Brigade was handed two pedigreed Pitbull puppies in an  emaciated condition, with their ribs and bones almost protruding. Janisch said that when they went to collect them, they still managed to wag their tails excitedly, showing how much they craved human interaction.

“They were infested with worms and had not received any primary healthcare which is so important to the well-being of the puppy. The puppies were so excited to see a plate of food. They are doing well and picking up weight nicely,” said Janisch.

Janisch added that animal neglect is getting worse, especially with puppies. “What many people don’t realise is a dog is at least a 15-year commitment. So many dogs, especially senior ones, are no longer wanted, and it seems so easy for people to get rid of them,” she said.

Whereas some cases arise from genuine changes in the circumstances, Janisch said you can see the lengths a truly committed owner would go to in order to see that their animal is cared for.

To those families who cannot care for their pets, Janisch asks them to seek assistance rather than abandon their animals. “If you can no longer keep your animals, please don’t dump them or give them away. Contact your local SPCA or private rescue organisations for assistance,” she said.

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