Durban – A good Samaritan alerted the Pietermaritzburg SPCA after finding a dog chained to a tyre and left at the side of a road last week.
The SPCA said the matter was reported last Wednesday and inspectors immediately went out to assist.
The animal welfare organisation said the dog was now safe and being housed at its kennels.
“We do not know what the owners were thinking,” added the SPCA.
Commenting on the SPCA’s Facebook page, residents thanked the good Samaritan as well as the SPCA for helping the dog and called for the person who chained the dog to be found and held accountable
One resident said: “Anyone who works for the SPCA is doing God's work. I just can’t get over humans who treat animals like this. Shame on them.”
Another said: “Thank you so much for the help. Animals don't know why they've been treated so badly.”
In a separate incident on Thursday, members of the Specialised Tactical Accident Rescue Team (START) were called out to Queensburgh for two dogs who were stuck on a ledge in thick bush.
START spokesperson Warren Brauns said community members alerted it to the situation.
Brauns said according to reports, the dogs could be heard crying but no one could see them.
It was a hot day so START members and Netcare 911 Rescue 2 jumped into action immediately.
“On arrival, the team assessed the area and managed to locate the dogs. A basic rope system was set up and a member of the team was lowered to the dogs’ location, where they were secured and hoisted to safety,” said Brauns.
Brauns said both dogs were suffering from mild dehydration.
Commenting on the START Facebook page, the owner of the dogs said: “Just such awesome teamwork, well done everyone … I am indeed grateful and indebted to everyone involved. My babies are now safe and sound.Thank you.”