Cooper was rescued after the most unimaginable cruelty, beaten within an inch of his life during a dog fight. Despite his pain, he is the happiest boy, and now, he is undergoing surgery to restore his dignity.
Update: We have recieved the heartbreaking news that the public’s beloved Cooper sadly passed away on Sunday morning, the 20th of July 2025, after suffering a heart attack. He has left behind a legacy that Indelicate Pit Bull Rescue will honour for all the days to pass, fighting to protect every abused pitbull. We are deeply sorry for this loss.
Western Cape, South Africa (17 July 2025) – I often find myself in tears, wondering why humans can be so cruel. But then the moment fades away because looking at the helpers absolutely restores one’s faith in humanity. One cruel act is met with such a force of kindness that you find yourself swept up in sheer joy. Cooper has known great cruelty, more than any living thing should ever have to endure, and yet, he wags his tail and soaks in all the love. The team at Indelicate Pit Bull Rescue Cape Town have rescued him, championed his cause and is working tirelessly to restore his own faith in humanity.
In June of this year, the team ventured into Atlantis, where Cooper was being kept. Six months earlier, he had suffered abuse at the hands of dog fighters, having his skull crushed after attempting to remove other dogs that had latched onto him. We will spare you the utterly heartbreaking details, but one can imagine the force needed to leave him disfigured and broken.
It was evident that Cooper needed surgery and quickly! While his injuries were not new, they did need urgent care. His injuries prevented him from eating or drinking properly, and it became clear there was an underlying infection somewhere within the broken crevices of his mouth. He was scared to let anyone near his mouth at all.
He underwent his first surgery last week. The discovery was quite grim. His soft upper palate has two holes right up into his nasal passage. How he survived so long with these injuries is a miracle. How he will continue to survive as he heals is quite clear: with the love and support of his carers, his veterinary team who now have a better understanding of how to treat him going forward and of course, Cooper’s very own fighting spirit.
“Our biggest worry was whether Cooper could withstand anaesthesia… he did. And when he woke up, it was like he was just waiting to see us. His tail wagged so hard, and within five minutes, Coops was up and going, walking himself to the car and back to the kennels. He ate a whole bowl of mince and vegetables and sweets”
The road ahead will be long. Cooper needs skin grafts to close up the holes into his nasal passage. The broken bones that have healed badly mean he will look a little different, but he has adapted, taught himself to eat and is still the most beautiful boy. Surgery to repair the holes is risky, but it will greatly reduce his recurring infections, his food coming through his nostrils, and help him breathe easily.
The team at the rescue are now raising funds to secure a date for the skin graft surgery. This is coming at a great cost, so they need all the help they can get.
You can reach out to the team via Facebook or via email to lend a helping hand.
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