They still need you

One thing I’ve learned during my years as a journalist is that lies have a nasty way of creeping through the cracks, and no matter how hard you try to sweep them back under the carpet, they will be exposed. However, I have never been able to figure out why some people lie – what is the reasoning behind it?

Last week was one of those ‘why-did-you-lie?’ weeks.

We received a call about an emaciated puppy that was found in Weltevreden Park by a security company. The pup was eventually taken in by an animal shelter in Krugersdorp. To make a long story short, the shelter owner lied about the veterinary care the puppy received. She also lied about the pup’s death, allegedly in order to obtain financial support for the pup’s vet care, according to the security company. She then admitted to fabricating the existence of another emaciated pup, although I’m not sure why.

The issue obviously sparked outrage among the community (including me) because no one could grasp how a human being could be be so cruel as to let a beautiful puppy starve to death. Those who know me will know that I am an avid animal lover – except when it comes to mosquitoes and cockroaches – and that my favourites are the dolphins. These people will know that it breaks my heart to have to report that an animal shelter’s owner tried to deceive the public.

We received a lawyer’s letter asking us not to publish the article, but since the details had already been published on a social media platform by the shelter, we went ahead.

Despite this sordid story, this shelter does a lot of good for many animals, as do all the other places such as the SPCA (despite them having a bad reputation, which we hope will change in time), Community Led Animal Welfare, the PDSA and so on. The staff of these organisations put their own lives on hold to assist those without a voice, to educate the community and to generally be ambassadors for animal rights.

I’m pretty sure the owner of this shelter told the lies with good intentions (however bizarre this may seem), and appeal to the community not to be blinded by her misstep. Every abused, sick or neglected animal needs people to assist them – people like you and me, and even the owner of this shelter, despite her mistake. I know that I couldn’t do what they do, because I could not bear to see what they see and still get up the next day to do it all over again.

Please continue supporting the animal shelters, even if you don’t like the people who run them. After all, who can resist a pleading eyes of a dog or cat?

Until next week, take care of our animals.

Ciao