Yesterday our electrician came back and finished the servicing of the electric fence by replacing all the cabling which was a good 100 meters. The old cabling had suffered under the African sun and was so brittle you could break it with your hands.
Where we live in an enclosed security zone which the community controls and pays for each month this may be over kill, but it is nice to have the extra security. A few months ago we had a spate of incidents with one property targeted for a few days in a row. I was curious to know what was being stolen as why would anyone return after the first break in? We have a home alarm system, but we never use it as there is always someone here.
Two weeks ago it was revealed his drinks cabinet was hit and the beers in the fridge were missing. This is kind of important information that was not revealed at the time as my eyes are firmly set on the teenagers living next door. This was no major heist and I have already had a run in with them previously over their driving skills outside in the road revving their engines and spinning their tires. They listened which was good as I do not think they were expected to be confronted by anyone.
Unfortunately you cannot choose your community members and everyone has to try and live in harmony which is easier said than done with different cultures and upbringing. People will complain on the WhatsApp group, but will not go and tackle the problem that is aggravating everyone else.
On guard even when he is relaxing in the garden. Boerboel's are territorial dogs and this is his property to protect. They need to be trained as they are a powerful muscular breed and you need to know how to handle them. Brock is my fourth Boerboel and was adopted when no one else wanted him and he would have been put down. Giant breeds are now wanted by owners if they are not a puppy and I had to have him so we had him transported up from Durban when I heard about him.
My back up security being Brock would love someone coming to visit, but for some unknown reason things have been quiet since he moved in. We often go for walks in the middle of the night just doing a quick patrol around the neighborhood and besides encountering a few cats there is no other excitement.
At a little over 70 kg's he is a big deterrent and it is quite hilarious when we visit the vets for his check ups as everyone in the waiting room grabs their dogs until they hear him whining wanting to play. Brock is still a puppy and being an ex stray is also an escape artist so you have to be aware where he is at all times because once the gate opens he is gone as quick as a flash and the big chase is on which has happened 3 times already.
This area compared to where we lived on the golf course are chalk and cheese as house break ins happened weekly not for us, but our neighbors. Our electric fence was cut a few times and they gave up and was fixed first thing in the morning as we were ready for any action and thwarted the last break in attempt when I spotted them climbing into our neighbors yard. They were saved as I ran into the glass sliding door whilst trying to retrieve the baseball bat and I ended up in a bloody mess with a split nose which must have scared them even more.
Boring is good when it comes to security in South Africa as long as you remain vigilant and not let down your guard. I feel safe enough to not have a fire arm and when I feel I need one then it is time to move. When you have the street smarts as I have known no different then you can avoid trouble before it finds you. The family has been back in SA for 21 years now and we have only had one major incident and a dog just like Brock fixed that problem. That was in a rented property that we had no control over the security measures.