Cape Town - Teamwork made the dream work as the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and the Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit united to save a dog in need.
This was after a call reached the SPCA about a dog, alone and trapped on a tiny island of soil amid the flowing waters of a canal in Langa, near the busy N2 highway.
After receiving the call, Inspector Lwazi Ntungele was sent to the site, according to SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham.
She said that when he arrived, Ntungele’s concerns were confirmed: that the dog was indeed stranded and the water was swirling around dangerously.
“Knowing the risks but hindered by his inability to swim and uncertain about the water’s depth, Inspector Ntungele made a call for back-up, and soon Officer Yaaseen Abrahams from the Law Enforcement Animal Control Unit joined the scene,” she said.
She said that with no time to lose, Abrahams, with a good dose of teamwork and bravery, quickly discarded his bulletproof vest to ensure nothing would weigh him down in the water.
“Wearing Inspector Ntungele’s waders, he stepped into the canal. As he approached, the stranded dog’s tail began to wag – a small but hopeful sign amid the anxiety,” Abrahams explained.
Video footage of the heartfelt moment shows the officer, with careful steps, reaching the frightened pup and lifting her from her perilous perch to safety.
“The moment they touched dry land it was clear: another precious life was saved, thanks to the swift actions of our dedicated team and the invaluable partnership with the City of Cape Town,” Abraham said.
The rescue has once again proved that the SPCA continues to put the needs of animals first, she said.
Abraham added: “This rescue isn’t just a story of saving an animal; it’s a testament to what we can achieve together for animal welfare and our community. The dog now rests safely at the SPCA, ready to find a forever home.”
Cape Town received a record-breaking amount of rainfall in July, and this has also opened the window for many animals to go missing or become stranded like the pup.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za
Cape Argus