My fiance and I went into an area in Durban (that shall remain nameless so as not to affend anyone) on the weekend to buy fruits and vegetables. we like to find bargains you know! anyway, it's a really run down area, i wouldnt call it a squatter camp but it's only a few levels up from that. anyway, we parked and walked a little inland and I wasnt so keen because I felt a bit unsafe but i went anyway. and i also know what presents itself when I start looking around me and this is what I saw...

we stopped at a container that sells cokes (the local shabeen i think!) to get a coke on our way out and some mangos from the lady selling at her stall and I was just horrified at what I saw...

there, tied to a tree on a chain about 2 foot long if that was a small puppy about 7 weeks old at most. It was like a shepherd/husky mix...a little ball of fluff, so cute i could have stolen it! and it was standing up on it's hind legs against the pull of the chain trying to get to it's food and water bowl which was out of it's reach my fiance saw me looking at it and gave me a look as if to say not to get involved but i did anyway. So i went over to it and moved it's bowls closer while the people watched me and LAUGHED and gave it some love and when i felt the cord around it's neck i just wanted to cry it was literally a thin cord that was so tight i battled to get a finger underneath it.

First I dont understand a person who chains their dogs unless they are a danger to each other perhaps, but a PUPPY???? on a chain with a collar (cord) that tight???? and no access to food and water. I asked the lady to please get it's collar loosened (my fiance looked embarrassed because I dont know how to turn a blind eye to animal abuse and i get very verbal) and she kinda said "Ja" and walked off disgruntled because it probably wasnt even her puppy. At least it had access to it's food and water and was in the shade but I keep thinking about it and wondering if i should have done more. not far off was the most beautiful adult Pittbull also chained and covered in flies from head to toe in the boiling sun with no food or water. When i called to it it tried to lift it's head and then sank back into it's sun induced coma. i wanted to cry and I had to leave before I threw a fit.

It just so happens that this is the same area my rescue dog came from...no wonder there. and these are just 2 examples of how these people treat their animals. in this area it is like this everywhere you turn. why even have them? makes me want to quit my job and join a rescue group

Oh, this is awfull!! I would have freaked out as well!

OMG......... what a horrible experience Those poor dogs I would've been upset beyond words too to see them being treated so cruely You should send a letter to the SPCA and see if they can send someone in to that area to check it out

The thing is that the entire area is rampant with this issue. this is not an isolated case at all these were 2 thousands of animals like this it was just so sad.

I would not be able to stand that either!!! I really think that someone has to educate people in smaller rural towns on how to take proper care of their pets. Im not sure if they will listen and actually do it, but its worth a try!!! I think to them, a dog is supposed to protect the property and they dont care if they give food and water to their pets!!! How is your pet supposed to be loyal if it is starved and changed up the whole day!!!!

Its upseting me just thinking about it!!! I get very emotional when it comes to pets not being treated properly(especially dogs!!!)

me too. I saw a lot of it as a child in Underberg in the rural areas and I was constantly finding strays and bringing them home much to my parents horror! they always turn out to be such loving animals too.

How does the old saying go, s omething like -The more I learn about people the more I like my dogs.............

Wow Marilize! I would be so cross! Haha I'm so cross for you! It's not like you said you would keep her & even if you said you could - you wouldn't have known at the time that you were allergic!! aaa it's actually so annoying and its stories like these that make you wonder if its worth trying to help other people!