When Shiloh Wood left for work and said goodbye to her tail-wagging puppy, she never imagined it would be the last time she saw him alive.
Just moments later, Wood, of Gqeberha, received a frantic call to rush home, where she was told Floofy had been murdered.
Taken to the Newton Park Animal Hospital, Wood’s worst nightmare was realised when she saw him sprawled lifeless on the table.
And now, all that she and her husband, Elijah, have left of their seven-month-old Pomeranian is the sight of his tiny body, which has since been cut open for a postmortem examination.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said her gardener has subsequently been arrested.
He is facing a charge of animal cruelty.
“The police can confirm that a case of animal cruelty was opened at Mount Road police station on Monday after it was alleged that a male suspect killed a dog at a premises in First Avenue, Newton Park, Gqeberha,” he said.
“The 42-year-old suspect was arrested the same day and was taken to court on Tuesday.
“The case was not enrolled by the National Prosecuting Authority due to further investigation that is still required.”
It’s understood that the NPA is awaiting footage and more evidence before the case will be re-enrolled.
Speaking to IOL, Wood said she was battling to come to terms with what had happened.
“I am broken,” she said.
“I cannot function.
“My heart is crushed in a thousand pieces.
“I can’t get over with losing my baby. I can’t deal with the lack of empathy from government officials.
“The sheer lack of respect towards animals males me sick. I cannot sleep, eat or run my business.”
Wood said she left home for work on Monday “just like any other day”.
“My husband was home together with my helper, and my helper was looking for him,” she said.
“My helper was calling Floofy to give him his food, then she went into the granny flat and found him on the floor, unresponsive.
“Then my husband went to see what was going on, and they rushed him to Newton Park Animal Hospital.
“I was still at work when they called me to come home urgently. They didn’t tell me anything.
“I was then taken to the hospital, where I found out. I saw him there — he was already dead.”
Wood said she wanted justice.
“I will never, ever get over this,” she said.
IOL News
