BINTULU: A Shiba Inu, a Japanese dog breed, was found in a pitiful state, neglected and covered in its own faeces and urine, here on Saturday.
It was rescued by the Street Animal Rescuers Association (SARA) Bintulu but its troubles are far from over.
The dog, called Lucky, has since been found with medical complications which have had a crippling effect on its health.
Lucky’s fate came to light after Sara took to social media two days ago, highlighting its distressing condition and, worse, that another dog, a Corgi, had already perished and was decomposing in its cage, triggering concern from neighbours due to the foul odour.
“If you see this post, please go back immediately and bury your dog,” it appealed to the dog owner whose whereabouts could not be immediately established.
“If you cannot take care of it anymore, please open it up for adoption. Don’t leave it like this.
“We may have to report to the police for action by the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS) later. We (will) give time until tomorrow.”
Animal enthusiast, Francis Ngu, took notice and personally went to feed the dog.
He also extended its limited leash to allow it more freedom of movement.
Later Lucky was taken to the clinic, where it was discovered that his large intestine had protruded due to difficulty in defecating, requiring him to strain forcefully.
Additionally, Lucky had diarrhoea upon arriving at the clinic.
“Considering Lucky’s condition, we decided to conduct a blood test and also administer deworming medication before vaccinating him.
“The blood test results were concerning; we just received them a while ago. Lucky’s urea reading was very high, which could lead to kidney damage.
“Therefore, Lucky was placed in the clinic for further monitoring. Once Lucky is more stable, he will be sent back to the Veterinary Office and placed on department premises until a court order is obtained,” it added.
The organisation appealed to pet owner to ensure the well-being of their animals.
If individuals work offshore or in distant locations for extended periods, the organisation advised finding a reliable person to care for their pets.
In cases where this isn’t feasible, it suggested considering options such as utilising a pet hotel or entrusting the animals to a new owner genuinely committed to their welfare.
Furthermore, they emphasised that neglecting animals, as seen in the this case, amounts to cruelty.
Regrettably, another dog lost its life due to the owner’s irresponsible actions, which is not only ethically wrong but also a violation of the law, it said, warning that legal repercussions could be pursued against those responsible for such acts.
The organisation has set up a fund for Lucky to cover medical costs, blood tests, boarding, and food. Money can be donated to the Bintulu Street Animal Rescuers Association’s Ambank account at 8881045814928 with the reference ‘Lucky’.
