The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Johannesburg is sheltering about 400 abandoned or injured animals, SABC news reported on Monday.
They range from six-week-old puppies to cats and pigs. Petrus Lombard, a spokesperson for the SPCA, said many dogs and cats had been injured or frightened by fireworks. One cat was burned so badly that the SPCA had nicknamed her Cinders. It had to be given morphine to ease the pain.
Many owners left dogs in their back yards over Christmas without food or water.
Meanwhile the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) said earlier on Monday it was difficult to express its disappointment and frustration at yet another New Year ”celebrated” with the ”extensive and random” use of fireworks.
Spokesperson Christine Kuch said following the New Year celebrations the organisation had received many reports of missing pets, and fireworks were singled out as the culprits.
”Flagrant disregard of the law and lack of community-mindedness or consideration for those living around them were demonstrated countrywide as fireworks were discharged — and not limited to the twelve o’clock tradition of seeing-in the new year.”
Kuch also pointed out that there were pet owners who contacted the SPCA just before leaving for holidays requesting the organisation to accommodate their pets.
”As late as Christmas Eve, SPCAs were experiencing requests for boarding kennels or potential pet-sitters.
”It never ceases to amaze us that people plan holidays well in advance yet leave pet care, quite literally to the last minute — and then wonder why places are booked up,” she said. – Sapa