PIRATE ’ S A TREASURE
When we were alerted to the matter of two cats that were suffering from severe medical conditions and required urgent rescuing in Belmont Park , Kraaifontein , Trainee Inspector Carly Jordaan was immediately dispatched to investigate the allegations . She faced a bigger challenge than she realised and responding to this call would test her tenacity to its limits . The property owners denied having any cats on the premises but Trainee Inspector Jordaan ’ s gut feeling told her otherwise . She insisted on inspecting the property and was surprised when she was unable to find any cats matching the complainant ’ s description . Despite this , she still felt uneasy and when she provided the complainant with feedback , she understood why . The cats had been hidden away when the owners saw her pulling into their driveway . Because of the severity of the case and further evidence provided by the complainant , we obtained a court order and returned to the property the following day to do a thorough search of the house . Inspector Carina Bodenstein accompanied Trainee Inspector
Jordaan this time and with the court order in hand , they found the two cats in need of our help . The case was worse than we had anticipated . First , they found Ivy , a white cat with a severe eye infection- she was experiencing serious difficulty breathing and was in the process of dying . They immediately confiscated Ivy and rushed her to a nearby private veterinary clinic for emergency care and treatment . Then they found Pirate . He had a large laceration on the right side of his face and eye and with no skin covering the affected area , his teeth and gums were visible through the wound even though his mouth was closed . The owners claimed that they had rescued Pirate from the streets and that his wounds were burn wounds and were being treated by a veterinarian . Pirate had been in their care for much longer than they alleged and had most likely sustained the injuries from a motor vehicle accident . Pirate had seen a veterinarian , but only three days after he sustained his injuries and appointments for follow up treatments had not been kept . Pirate was taken into the care of the SPCA where he underwent emergency surgery to remove his eye , eyelids and tear glands that had sunk deep into his eye socket . Pirate survived but he was never going to be pretty and with so many healthy , beautiful animals looking for homes , we didn ’ t think he would get a second glance ! Missing an eye and part of his lip that left his teeth exposed meant all Pirate had going for him was his heart of gold but Shiver me Timbers , Pirate found his treasure …….. and his family found theirs too ! It turns out that was enough for the Aitchison family who saw past his mutilated little face and let Pirate pilfer their hearts . We are so thankful , not only for Pirate ’ s pawsome new family but also to our Inspector who never gave up , the person who cared enough to report a horrendous case of animal cruelty , the Magistrate who heard our pleas for a warrant and all of you , our supporters who ensured that Pirate could get the best possible veterinary treatment in our hospital . There will be no need for this here Pirate to ever have to search for treasure again , he ’ s already hit the jackpot .
Charges of animal cruelty in terms of the Animals Protection Act were brought against the owners but with courtroom closures impacting on court time throughout the pandemic , the matter is yet to be heard .
A sedated Pirate about to undergo surgery Post-surgery cuddles for this brave boy
Pirate , adopted and treasured at last
FOOTPRINTS 2020 31