Family dog survives snare hell
IT was a bitter-sweet moment for a KwaMbonambi couple when their beloved dog, which was missing for five days, returned home.
When Ava, an almost two-year-old rottweiler, eventually made her way back home, she was exhausted, hungry and thirsty, and – her owners realised after petting her – severely injured.
“When I went outside and first saw that she was home, she was lying on her bed and her food and water bowls were empty,” said Natalie van Vuuren.
Thankful that their beloved pet was safely back home, Natalie went to stroke Ava and unwittingly plunged her fingers into a deep wound around her neck.
Ava had evidently been caught in a snare and the thick electrical cable that the snare was made of, was still around her neck, inside the wound.
“When we realised we would not be able to remove the cable ourselves, we rushed Ava straight to Meerensee Vet,” said Natalie.
Ava underwent the necessary treatment, spending five days at the vet.
A month on from her ordeal, Ava is now fully healed, and once again loving life with her canine siblings.
“When Ava went missing, her sister Foxy went with her. Sadly, Foxy was run over and killed on the N2,” said Natalie.
“We’re concerned someone is luring the dogs from their properties, as our dogs never used to get out.
“Our neighbours have also had their dogs go missing, and some of them now keep their pets inside the house.”
With thick bush between their property and the N2, Natalie said she and her partner Cam Tiran walked the area for two days after Ava’s disappearance, to no avail.
Natalie said she and Cam recently witnessed three men laying snares in the greenbelt areas near their home.
“We spoke to them about not laying snares in the bush after what happened, and they were apologetic,” said Natalie.
Cam and Natalie have taken precautions to ensure none of their dogs escape in future, including heightening the fence and installing electrical fencing.