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After hearing the loud cries of a dog in distress and later discovering that the dog was trapped under a 2-ton rock, the community in Cradock quickly joined forces to help rescue the dog.
Co-owner of Cradock Animal Shelter, Karin Human said that when Constable Zenobias Adams from the Cradock Police Station first heard the loud sound of a dog crying on August 12, he was uncertain as to where the sound was coming from, however, when he heard the same intense cry again the following day on August 13, he decided to drive along the N10 and follow the sound.
Finally, after an intense search on an open field along the N10, she said that he discovered that the dog was trapped under a 2-ton rock and was unable to move.
“Constable Adams then rushed to the shelter to ask for assistance, and we then sent out a message to various WhatsApp groups in the hope that enough people would join in to lift the rock,” said Human.
She said that she, her husband, Herkie, and their team quickly rushed to the site but discovered that the rock was too large to pick up.
Human said that they then alerted the Eastern Cape Emergency Medical Services along with various other role players who then rushed to the scene to offer their assistance.
“Since the location was very rocky and steep, we were not able to use an excavator as we initially planned and instead had to make use of the jaws of life to lift the rock,” said Human.
She said since they were not sure how long the dog was left under the rock, veterinarian, Dr Monica Muller was on standby to assist once the rock had been lifted and Herkie was able to pick the dog up.
To their surprise, Human said that the dog, now named “Rocksy”, was pregnant.
“I am not sure how Rocksy found herself under such a large rock, but I am thankful that she was able to survive. If she did not cry so loud, she would have died there,” said Human.
She further said that Muller continued to monitor Rocksy for about three days and that the dog and her puppies were doing well at the shelter.
Human said that she was so proud of the community in Cradock as many people arrived at the site with water, blankets, and equipment.
“Despite the area being very steep people were still willing to walk the path to get to the site to assist which was awesome to see. Now that Rocksy is in our care we are still receiving so many phone calls from people offering their assistance,” said Human.
She said that their shelter which she co-owns with her husband, Herkie, is a non-profit-organisation and is dependent on donations of food for their 140 dogs and 33 cats and monetary donations to pay their staff and their overhead costs.
“We are very grateful for all the donations we receive,” said Human.
For more information or to donate to the Cradock Animal Shelter contact Karin Human on 073 811 3663.
