SPCA helps sea dog find its land legs

EAST LONDON -- A dog rescued from the stricken 2000ton Sagitarius grain carrier, aground off Leaches Bay here, was recovering well at the local animal sanctuary, SPCA manager Marie Eekhout said yesterday.

Eekhout said she was asked by the ship's agent responsible for the vessel to pick up the black dog.

"It was terrified at first, but it is in good condition now and just a little scared," she said.

The 16-month-old dog was airlifted from the ship that was being pounded by the waves, by an SANDF Oryx helicopter, along with nine crew members.

Eekhout said the dog was a sea dog, having spent most of its life at sea and apparently knew little about what happens on land.

The vessel ran aground just off the harbour here at Leaches Bay on Thursday night.

It was on its way to Angola carrying grain from Durban.

The vessel of Portuguese origin was carrying six Angolan and three Ukrainian crew. -- DDR