By Boitumelo Gift Minwenda (Makgala)
We live in a world full of different kinds of crimes. Which vary from robbing banks or Cash-In-Transit to robbing innocent people on the road. From hijacking vehicles on the streets to Human Trafficking.
The South African Police Services is there to help the victims. Together with the help of certain security firms. But some citizens or households believe that paying a security firm. To install cameras and alarm systems is a total waste of time.
Even though it is way too expensive for some have the security firms paid. And to have the alarm systems purchased and installed. Not to mention that they believe that keeping dogs as their pets. Will better benefit them and paying a security firm is way more expensive.
Than keeping a dog and it has been so for many generations. I come from an area whereby they keep cattles and dogs. They keep the dogs because they need their cattle protected at all times. And mainly at night when they are fast asleep.
Others use dogs to hunt for rabbits within bushes in undeveloped areas like in Rural areas. Keeping a dog as a pet might be much cheaper. But it requires making sure that the dog is washed, fed, loved and that is does put on clothes.
The owner does include the dogs needs and wants in his or her budget. Includes buying the dog food to eat, house to live in, clothes to wear. The yard the dogs live in must have a wall built around it. I live in a city whereby households keep three to four dogs in their yards.
As a way of protecting themselves from criminals at night. The dogs act like alarms which alert the owners if there are any intruders inside their yards. But most of them failed to purchase belts to put on their dogs. When walking with them in public, the issue became worse. When they left their dogs to roam around the streets like patrollers. During the day and night, making noise, running after every truck and motorcycles passing by.
Even though there are a lot of notice boards. This is a disadvantage to the society. Not all dogs get regular visits from Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or treatments every now and then! If one of the dogs was left unchained and got to bite a person passing by.
There is a high chance of the individual getting infected with cellulitis, tetanus, and rabies. As well as other systemic illnesses such as sepsis. Through bacteria from the dog’s mouth entering the skin.
Mainly because common dog illnesses include contagious viral diseases like Parvovirus, Distemper, and Canine Influenza, parasitic. Infections such as Heartworm, Lyme Disease, and fleas/ticks. And common condition like Ear Infections, Dental Disease, and Obesity.
Prevention through vaccinations, regular vet visits, parasite control, and proper hygiene is crucial. If your dog shows symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy. Or changes in appetite, contact your veterinarian immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
As leaving your dog without proper treatments is a danger to the society you live in! Apart from purchasing them belts and keeping them chained is the best option. A way of developing the cities, towns and rural areas we live in!
