Kloof SPCA rescue trapped pooch in Dassenhoek
The Kloof and Highway SPCA's inspectorate team believe the male dog must have fallen from a section above the railway tunnel.
TWO staff from the Kloof and Highway SPCA rescued a male dog that was trapped at the top of an abandoned railway tunnel in the Dassenhoek area recently.
According to the NPO’s marketing officer, Brigitte Ferguson, a call was received on Monday afternoon (1 February) and it was reported a dog was heard crying at night for about a week, and the sound seemed to emanate from the top of the tunnel.
Field Officer Sibonelo Gasa rushed to the site only to realise the ladder he had with him was inadequate to reach the top of the tunnel and spent an hour in the area trying to find a way to climb to the top.
“He tried calling the dog, but it was quiet. He left his contact details with the security guard and asked him to please phone immediately if, and when, any of the guards heard the dog crying again,” said Ferguson.
The very next day Gasa received a call from the security guard to say the dog could be heard crying again.
He loaded the organisation’s longest ladder and, accompanied by Inspectorate Assistant Philani Nzama, returned to the tunnel to rescue the dog.
“It took almost an hour to position and get the ladder to reach the top of the tunnel, which is between 20 to 30m high. They saw a tan and black male Africanis dog. Thankfully, the dog had access to water from a small stream of water flowing from a nearby rock. The dog was weak, clearly in distress and very scared,” said Ferguson.
The duo gained the dog’s trust and slowly lifted it into a position to take it to safety.
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“The traumatised, medium-sized dog ate greedily when they offered him something to eat and was immediately taken to the Kloof and Highway SPCA and admitted to our clinic to be examined by our veterinarians,” said Ferguson.
The inspectorate team believe the dog fell down a bank next to the railway tunnel. The lucky pooch will be monitored by the clinic team, who have affectionately named him Qhawe (Hero). If the dog is not claimed within seven days, it will be put up for adoption.
Support the work done by the NPO:
Name: Kloof and Highway SPCA
Bank: FNB
Account number: 50730485741
Account type: Cheque
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