OUT
OF THE ASHES, A HERO RISES:
Bokkie Saves The Lives Of His
Family And Is Awarded North Shore Animal League America's Elisabeth
Lewyt Award (September 2004)
Heroic deeds are not performed only by humans,
as the judges of North Shore Animal League's
Elisabeth Lewyt Award can attest. And canine
and feline heroes are everywhere, including
the troubled area of Zimbabwe. Read the story
of bravery displayed by a little dog living
in a most dangerous part of Africa.
BOKKIE'S STORY:
As told by Bernice Robertson Dyer, National
Chairperson of ZNSPCA
As more and more animals - both
domestic pets and livestock - continue to be caught up in Zimbabwe's
chaotic and often violent land reform, the Zimbabwe National Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals would like to report on a story of great canine
courage.
Bokkie is a three-year old black Labrador/Terrier
mix who was given to Amos Makaza, the Security Manager of Charleswood
Estate in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, as a present by the legal
owner of the farm, Mr. Roy Bennett.
Charleswood Estate has been the scene
of continuous incidents of violence and intimidation by war veterans
and settlers in ongoing attempts to remove Roy from the farm. However, Roy
is extremely popular with his workers and local community and they have rigorously
supported him and resisted all attempts at a takeover. Roy is also the legitimately
elected Member of Parliament for Chimanimani.
Amos has already been hospitalised
once following a severe and prolonged beating he received from invaders
who used a truncheon encased in a metal pipe. Amos has been an inspiration
to the farm workers who greatly admire his courage and refusal to give
in to such violent intimidation.
On the night of 12 April 2004,
Amos was having supper with his wife and teenage son when they
heard Bokkie barking frantically outside. Amos ran to the window and saw a
large mob of settlers wielding various weapons and standing in the garden. Bokkie's
alert provided Amos and his family with the few precious seconds they needed
to save their lives. Moments later he heard a 'whoosh' as a large amount of
flammable liquid was hurled at the house and ignited. Amos, his wife, and son
barely made it out the back door and tragically their pet cat was burned to death.
As the family made a run for
it, Amos could no longer hear Bokkie amid all the chaos and
had no idea what happened to him. The family went into hiding until the farm
workers were alerted and arrived to chase off the invaders.
When he returned to his home early
the following morning, Amos found that the house had been completely
gutted by the fire and all their possessions were destroyed, including
his pick-up. They were left literally with the clothes on their backs. But
to Amos' great delight and relief he found Bokkie waiting patiently amongst the
ashes. He had been beaten by the mob and his left hind leg was broken.
Amos immediately contacted the ZNSPCA
for assistance and the National Rescue Team took the dog
on a two-and-half-hour journey to the nearest vet in Mutare. X-rays revealed
that the force of the blows to which Bokkie had been subjected had broken his
femur in two places.
He was operated on and a pin inserted. Then followed six long weeks
in a cage to ensure his complete recovery. The ZNSPCA paid all the vet bills,
for which Amos was most grateful. He said, "Bokkie is all we have left in
the world". Bokkie has now been re-united with his
beloved owner whose life he undoubtedly saved.
The Lewyt Award for September 2004 has been presented
to Bokkie to honor his exceptional bravery and loyalty
to Amos Makaza and his family and his courageous
action that saved their lives. As a symbol of the
award, North Shore Animal League America is sending
the remarkable dog a plaque describing his incredible
deed while Amos will receive a $500 check. The
League will present the ZNSPCA with a matching plaque
and check in recognition of the organization's rescue
and care of Bokkie and for their extraordinary generosity
regarding the hero dog's medical bills.
