AN image of a puppy bound by the legs and the muzzle posted on a local Facebook trading site drew outrage from local animal lovers this week.
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An RSPCA NSW spokesperson said the item listing the dog for sale was a hoax and the photograph has been traced back to the US, where it appeared to have first been posted in 2013. The posting incident has been referred on to RSPCA investigators and local police.
The ‘For Sale’ item, which has since been removed from Facebook, appeared on the Buy Swap and Sell Forster Tuncurry page from a user which has also been deleted.
It stated: “I’m getting rid of this dog because all it does is bark, the neighbours keep complaining hence why it’s (sic) mouth is taped. $30 to a good home, free to a bad one. PM me if interested. Please, no time wasters. Thanks”.
It was the image that most distressed online users, which featured a puppy bound at the muzzle and by the hind and front legs with duct tape. The RSPCA cruelty line was contacted by concerned residents, who also emailed the Advocate. The RSPCA praised residents for their concern for the animal.
The RSPCA spokeperson said, while these kind of hoaxes were not common, they did occur, and people were urged to report any worrying incidents to the cruelty line on 1300 278 3589.
