In a case where compassion overrode regulation, a four-month-old great dane pup was saved from dying of dehydration when half-a-dozen “good people” came his rescue.
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Kane was tied up to a short lead on the back of a Holden Commodore ute and passers by noticed the pup was panting and showing signs of heat exhaustion at about 1pm yesterday.
Helen and Sarah Gray from Coonamble feared the animal might die if no one took action and were among a team of rescuers who carried the dog off the ute and under the shade of a nearby tree before calling for a ranger.
“We had people running from everywhere with water bottles and someone brought a bucket,” Helen said. “It’s a joint effort.”
The temperature was at 32 degrees when Kane’s tongue was around its paws and he was showing signs of heat exhaustion, according to its rescuers.
A woman who saw the pup earlier on was one of many who said she had considered calling police.
“I heard a dog crying from across the street before and I said if he’s still there when I come back I’m calling police,” the woman said. “It’s good to see there are some good people about.”
The two young women who owned the pup were not so appreciative of people’s concern when they returned to their vehicle and found Kane had been removed, 45 minutes after rescuers intervened.
The women stipulated that no one had any right to touch the animal despite the state in which it was in, and Dubbo City Council said they were correct.
Ranger Damien Rindfleish arrived at the scene at about 2pm once the pup was recovering but said the pup could have died of dehydration if he was left in the sun without water.
Ranger Rindfleish said the incident would be reported to council and the RSPCA, but people should in future call the police, a ranger or the RSPCA before intervening with someone’s animal.
