A well-known Howick resident who takes her two-year-old German Shepherds for early morning walks in the Greendale area never imagined how quickly a routine outing could turn into a desperate search and rescue.
On Tuesday morning, near the Scout Hall – a familiar landmark for local dog walkers – her dog, Vix, leapt from the vehicle and darted after a guinea fowl, disappearing into a dense, overgrown section of the nearby Transnet servitude. When Vix didn’t return, as he always did, concern quickly turned to alarm.
The owner, who is a Mi7 Armed Response client, reached out for assistance. For more than four hours that day, Mi7 teams in Howick scoured the thick brush, calling Vix’s name and combing the undergrowth. Despite their efforts, there was no sign of him.
Undeterred, the team regrouped the next day. They expanded the search, alerted local veterinarians, the SPCA, and community groups, and distributed photos and details across social media and
Mi7’s community networks. Still, the thick vegetation and size of the area made the search painstakingly difficult.
On Thursday morning, Mi7 teams returned for a third day, this time joined by two community members determined to help. After spotting pawprints leading deeper into the servitude, they began to follow the trail through the dense brush. Nearly three hours later, the tracks led them to Vix – lying motionless, exhausted, and in visible pain. His right hind leg was trapped in a snare, one of many found in the area.
Mi7 teams immediately contacted a local veterinarian, who met the team at the site. After carefully tranquilising Vix and administering pain medication, the team fashioned a makeshift stretcher from a carry bag in their vehicle. Together, they carried him for nearly a kilometre through the rough terrain to safety.
Vix is now recovering well after surgery.
“Our work has always been about keeping people safe, and that extends to everything they hold dear,” said Mi7’s Colin David. “Vix’s rescue reminded us that compassion is at the heart of protection. We’re grateful to everyone who stood with us until he was safely home.”
The area where Vix was found is known for illegal snares. Mi7 is urging residents and pet owners in the Howick area to remain vigilant and report any sightings of traps or suspicious activity to local authorities or Mi7’s Control Room.
