Update

OUDTSHOORN NEWS - A case of animal cruelty has been opened against the woman from Bridgton in Oudtshoorn who claims to be the owner of Tyson, the pit bull terrier that was rescued from near death by Oudtshoorn Dogs in Need (Odin) late last month.

Tyson was taken to Cango Animal Clinic where he stayed for a week before being brought to George. 

He was found emaciated with a broken hind leg from which 20cm of broken bone was piercing through the skin. 

After nearly three weeks at the Eden Small Animal Hospital in George, an amputation and two major operations to his leg, three blood transfusions and a battle against tick bite fever, Tyson is being fostered at a breed-experienced home where he receives intensive rehabilitation to learn to walk on three legs, a special diet to assist his weak immune system and plenty of TLC. 

On top of that he has weekly appointments at the vet to monitor his condition as he still gets very weak at times.

Colleen Smith of Odin said Tyson was at death's door when their volunteer fetched him.

"I received a call from someone saying a dog was lying in a field near a church in Bridgton. It was not the dog's owner who spoke to me. I didn't even think he had an owner. The person sent me photos and judging by the injuries, I strongly suspected it was attacked by another dog in a fight. This was not a dog that was loved and cared for. He was covered in scars, old and new bite marks and infected wounds."

Smith immediately phoned their volunteer in Oudtshoorn, who rushed the dog to the vet.

"We were appalled at the state the dog was in. He must've been lying there for days. The bone that was sticking out was dry already and the maggots were eating away at his wound. He was basically dead," Smith said.

According to Smith, looking at the sheer number of scars and cuts on Tyson's legs and body, one can assume that he had been used for dogfighting.

Owners come forward

George Herald has since spoken to Nevelda Stuurman, the woman who claims to be Tyson's owner.

According to Stuurman, the picture Odin is portraying is far from the truth. She said her family found Tyson in the condition he was in near their house on 24 September.

"We found him just behind our house in the church grounds, which is very close to the fence that separates the two properties," she said.

Stuurman said as it was a public holiday, they could not find any veterinary practice open.

"We contacted Odin for help and they came to fetch Tyson from us." She said the maggots Smith was referring to were fly eggs laid on him while they were waiting. "We sat with him until they came to fetch him," she said.

She was not sure how Tyson sustained the injuries he had when he was found, but thought he was either hit by a car or someone attacked him with a panga.

"We love Tyson and my son misses his dog. We might not be wealthy, but we fed Tyson every day. He is part of the family," she said.

Asked about the old scars on the dog, Stuurman said that even though he was in an enclosed yard, Tyson was not sterilised and would escape and get into fights with other male dogs.

Smith is however not convinced. "The bite marks on Tyson are not from a dominance fight with another male dog. It leans more towards incited dogfighting."

Stuurman said that she was in constant communication with the Odin volunteer in Oudtshoorn to get feedback on Tyson, but after he was moved to George there was no more communication from them.

"I want my dog back. I am very unhappy about what was said. It's not true. I was in contact with Odin [the volunteer] since the moment they came to pick him up, but now no one responds anymore," Stuurman said.

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