Frantic bid to save pit bull puppy

THE plight of a seriously injured East London couple’s young puppy, which may need a R30 000 charter flight to undergo surgery, has set social media aflutter.

Chris and Gaelyn Cokayn’s 10-week-old pit bull Zara sustained spinal injuries in a freak accident, and if her condition deteriorates, she will need to be flown from East London to Johannesburg for an emergency life-saving operation.

With the only two airlines flying from East London – SAA and Kulula – not allowing animals in their cabins and the cargo hold not being an option because the dog needs to be constantly monitored, it will be a costly exercise.

“The quotes for private charters are all around R30 000 and with the mounting medical bills already being overwhelming, we can’t afford this,” Gaelyn – who herself miraculously recovered from a spinal injury sustained in a diving accident at the age of 12 – said.

The plight of the 5kg dog has had animal lovers across South Africa trying to help out, sharing and following posts on Instagram and Facebook.

- Eleanor Douglas-Meyers