Animal cruelty by Owners of dogs

This morning I read a horrifying article from my home country of South Africa where the people are supposed to be educated and compassionate to animals and animal cruelty. I will insert the article here for all to read. This article was published in 'The Star' newspaper on the 15th of September 2009 and was posted on the 'Barking Dog' web site where I found it.

Jack Russell endures days of agony at heartless owner's home

UPDATE :(
Sadly the little Jack Russel that was rescued in Krugersdorp didn't make it. But at least he spent his last days in the care of Dr Koekemoer and the CLAW vets and staff who all did their utmost for him, he passed away being cared for, not alone discarded in a yard. Thanks to all who prayed and kept him in their thoughts. And to those who donated towards his vet bill

Jack Russell endures days of agony at heartless owner's home
The Star, September 15, 2009 Edition 4

A MALE Jack Russell found in Krugersdorp West yesterday morning is close
to death. Its leg has been ripped off at the pelvis and it seems it has
been lying for days in its owner's front yard without any medical
attention.

The animal had sustained massive blood loss, and when The Star went to
visit it, shortly after it had been taken to Horison Park Animal Clinic
by Cora Bailey of the Community-Led Animal Welfare Organisation (CLAW),
its brown eyes were glazed from the morphine injection it had been
given. It didn't lift its head.

When asked how the dog was doing, vet Dion Koekemoer replied "Not good".

According to the neighbour who reported the atrocity, the dog's owner
had left for work as usual yesterday morning. This means the woman must
have walked past her pet - with its gaping wound - as it lay in her
driveway.

Some men saw the dog from the street and attracted the attention of the
neighbour. One of the men was in tears.

According to the neighbour, the dog had hurt itself three or four months
ago and had been limping.

On Sunday, she heard it howling and tried to call the Krugersdorp SPCA,
but the organisation's phone cables had been stolen.

Yesterday, she eventually contacted the Krugersdorp News, which alerted
Bailey.

"We got to the house. In the driveway was this small dog. I thought he
was dead. The domestic worker came out and said 'We don't know what's
wrong with the dog'," said Bailey.

"Apparently there's a child in the house as well. It's appalling, to see
that and not react. This woman lives in a suburb. She has a domestic
worker.

"If you can afford to employ someone to clean your house, you can afford
medical attention."

Yesterday afternoon, the dog underwent surgery to clean its wound. "We
got all the maggots out the wound. Let's hope he doesn't succumb to the
infection. He's very weak, very thin," said Koekemoer.

It will be a while before the wound can be closed. Koekemoer is doing a
stretching procedure to get enough skin.

Under the Animal Protection Act, failure to seek medical attention for
one's animals is a criminal offence.

The Krugersdorp SPCA will be laying charges against the dog's owner.

This is the site with this story - www.barkingmad.co.za.

This poor Jack Russell after enduring so much pain passed away. We have to ask ourselves what kind of civilised society are we living in when this can happen to a domestic dog in its own home done by its own owner???

I just hope he has moved on to a better place. RIP