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Cape Town – When criminals invaded her home on the Cape Flats, Merie the mutt literally jumped and took a bullet to protect her family.
Unfortunately, her owners, an elderly couple, did not survive the gang-related shooting at the end of August. But their adult children did.
“She wasn’t the best cared for dog and yet she still had absolute loyalty,” Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham told News24.
A police officer arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting and called the animal welfare organisation to fetch her.
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Collection officer Jeffrey Mfini rushed Merie to their animal hospital.
She has been shot in the right front leg and the severity of her injury made for an uncertain prognosis.
“The relatives of the deceased owners pleaded with us to save Merie’s life, as she had saved theirs,” said Abraham.
There was no doubt in the SPCA’s mind that the dog “deserved the best” they could offer her.
Jeffrey Mfini with Merie (Photo supplied by Cape of Good Hope SPCA)
True bravery
Vets decided they would have to amputate her leg.
They operated on her once she was strong enough. The team also treated her for Sarcoptic Mange (a highly contagious skin disease), vaccinated and sterilised her.
The pavement special spent 10 days in recovery and showed “true bravery”.
“Her courage and determination were inspiring and she was soon comfortably getting around on three legs.”
The dog left her mark on staff with her “sweet, gentle nature, courage and enormous spirit”.
She was now living with the very people she saved.
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Abraham said Merie continued to visit their hospital for follow up treatments.
All treatments to date were provided free of charge because the family was not in a position to make any financial contribution.
