More than 10 neglected dogs and a pig have been rescued from a house in Odendaalsrus in the Free State.
The SPCA in Bloemfontein says its branch in Virginia received an anonymous complaint about a large number of dogs being kept in a residential area under a non-profit-organisation and shelter name.
It says upon, inspectors were shocked when they were met with dogs fighting for attention and biting each other at the excitement of visitors.
"On closer investigation dogs were found in an outside building manged and neglected. Among other things, a basset hound had bleeding ulcers that were supposedly treated for the last few weeks. He was unable to move due to the severity of abscesses that must have caused unbearable pain and discomfort. The ulcers were so bad the whole body of the dog was infected and very smelly", the SPCA said.
More animals were found in different sections of the property. A pig, with no enrichment or proper hygienic conditions, was fighting off dogs that attempted to eat his faeces, it said.
"The owner of the so-called shelter registered herself as an NPO, received funds from a sympathetic public, but clearly the funds were not spent as it should have been", the SPCA said.
"Some of the animals were in a terrible state, with external parasites and others aggressive and not socialised. After a veterinary assessment, it was decided and recommended by our vet that many of the dogs be humanely put out of their suffering. The investigation will continue and a case of cruelty to animals will be opened and followed through", the organisation said.
- African News Agency
