'Why did they put him down?'

2008-1-18 09:15

Pretoria - A veterinary student on Thursday expressed his disappointment at the Tshwane SPCA, after they put down a dog he'd entrusted into its care, with a view to adopting the animal if it was not claimed.
"I'm really very upset about the dog. Why didn't they first call me to fetch him? Now it's hopelessly too late," said Freek Snyman, a veterinary student at Onderstepoort.

The German shepherd, which was playful and in good condition despite his bewildered appearance, was put down by the SPCA a week after being brought in.

Snyman said he found the lost and bewildered dog in their complex in Annlin to the north of Pretoria on January 2. He initially housed the dog for a couple of days.

"Two days later I phoned the SPCA in Waltloo to hear if anybody had enquired about the dog, as I would've liked to adopt him myself."

The SPCA suggested he bring the dog to their premises, as it would've been easier for his owner to find him there.

They would've kept the dog for up to two weeks in the hope of the animal's owner claiming him or the dog being adopted.

Snyman decided to pay R100 for the dog to stay there for two weeks, after which he would have had first option to adopt the dog.

"I left my contact details so they could call me if somebody did claim him, or if I could adopt him."

When he arrived at the SPCA on Wednesday to find out what had happened to the dog, he was told the dog had been put down a week after his arrival at the SPCA.

"I'm still very upset about it. I was more than willing to pay for any medical costs and would very much have liked to adopt the dog."

He said nobody could provide a reason for putting down the dog or not calling him.

Bert Bennet from the SPCA said they were aware of the incident, but had to investigate before they could comment. "There could be several reasons for the decision to put the dog down, but we will first have to determine what exactly happened."

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