JOY AFTER RESCUED YACHT DOG SPARED EUTHANASIA IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africans have been expressing their gratitude to the agriculture minister for intervening to prevent a guide dog from being euthanised after it was rescued from a yacht abandoned in rough seas.

“We are extremely grateful,” said Craig Lambinon, a member of the volunteer team that rescued a Swiss man, his German daughter, and their chocolate Labrador off the Eastern Cape three weeks ago, in an interview with the BBC.

While Achi’s owners awaited repatriation, authorities initially ruled that the dog must be euthanised because it was in the country illegally and posed a “bio-security risk.”

However, following public outcry and a petition to save Achi’s life, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced a last-minute reversal of the decision.

“We know that Achi is in good hands and is healthy and well,” said Mr. Lambinon from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

The registered guide dog remains under the care of Dr. Peter Wood at the privately owned Nahoon Veterinary Clinic in East London, where he was placed in quarantine following his rescue by the NSRI on August 2nd.

The 16-meter (52-foot) yacht could not be saved and has been lost at sea.

Joylene van Wyk, spokesperson for the agriculture department, told the BBC that Achi will soon be moved to a state facility in Cape Town, where he will remain in quarantine “until all necessary tests are completed.”

This move will also allow Dr. Wood to reopen his clinic, which had been forced to close during Achi’s quarantine and the uncertainty surrounding his future.

It is unclear how long the testing will take, but once Achi is cleared, “he can be reunited with his family,” Ms. van Wyk said.

Both her department and the NSRI praised Dr. Wood for his care of Achi, and many people have been donating money to help cover his expenses.