Janice Pace returns Timba to his owner Dave.
Camera IconJanice Pace returns Timba to his owner Dave. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mandurah: Timba the greyhound returned to homeless owner after surgery

Jill BurgessMandurah Coastal Times

TIMBA the controversial greyhound was returned to his homeless owner this morning after major surgery to a neck wound.

And heartbroken Peek a Boo Dog Wash owner Janine Pace, who put Timba in care while he underwent surgery, causing a major controversy on social media, will no longer contribute free veterinary treatment for dogs owned by the homeless, thanks to the attitude of the community.

“I will no longer be providing veterinary assistance due to the community backlash and lack of understanding,’’ she said.

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“Its all too painful and broke my heart.”

Mrs Pace was the recipient of abusive and vicious calls, particularly from businesses in central Mandurah where homeless man Dave and Timba are a familiar sight, accusing her of stealing and hiding the animal, which she said was completely untrue.

She paid more than $500 for the surgery.

Although the attitude of the community had broken her heart, she said she would still offer the free Halo dog wash for the dogs of homeless people.

After she placed Timba in care, Mrs Pace said she called Dave every day but he was hard to contact, having three different phone numbers in that time.

She said Timba still had a heart condition and warned his owner the dog would need to rest for seven hours a day and not be allowed out in the hot sun.

She said it was the third time Timba had been taken to the vet.

Homeless man Dave said he had owned the four and a half year old greyhound for two and a half years after being given him by a friend in Perth.

“I look after him as well as I look after myself,’’ he said.

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