Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Four hours and about 1kg of matted fur later, Mickey is ready for a loving home.

Mickey, a stray Maltese cross found in Dana Bay last month, is ready for adoption after recovering in the care of the Mossel Bay SPCA.

Morgane James, the Inspectorate Manager of the Garden Route SPCA, previously told Mossel Bay Advertiser that Mickey is one of the worst cases of animal neglect the organisation has seen. Nearly 1 kg of matted hair was removed. 

“It took four hours to shave him, because he was extremely traumatised, and the staff had difficulty finding where his skin started and the fur ended,” says the organisation.

The Mossel Bay SPCA says Mickey had been in that condition for months and struggled to walk due to the pain caused by his fur pulling on his raw skin. 

"This was physical and psychological torture for Mickey. He suffered long-term chronic pain and stress."
Since his rescue, Mickey is healing well under the care of the Mossel Bay SPCA and is now ready to find a forever home.

“He will do well with owners who are older, who are at home for most of the day and who do not have any younger or bigger dogs,” said the SPCA.

It said neglecting an animal is an offence under section 2(1)(a) of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962. Allowing a pet’s coat to become so severely matted that it causes pain, injury or difficulty moving can amount to criminal neglect and lead to prosecution. 

The SPCA urges owners to brush their pets regularly, especially long-haired dogs and cats, and seek help promptly if their coats become tightly matted.

The SPCA is offering a R5 000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for cruelty and neglect in Mickey’s case.

For information about Mickey’s case, adoption enquiries or pet care advice, contact the Mossel Bay SPCA on 044 693 0824 or 072 287 1761.

Previous article: Mossel Bay SPCA offers reward for information about animal cruelty incident

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’