My dog was mauled by an unleashed dog – Glenwood resident

GLENWOOD resident, Val Mardon, is still looking for the owner of a large black cocker spaniel that brutally attacked her dog at a park.

The incident left Levi, Mardon’s dog, requiring stitches near his neck.

“He is fine now but the incident absolutely traumatised him on the first day. He had to spend a whole day at the vet and he hates being there so he was screaming his head off. He’s only three years old and is a very sweet dog, he did not deserve this” said Mardon.

The incident happened on 3 January when Mardon’s inlaws were taking Levi for a regular walk in Bedford Gardens Park along Manning Road.

Levi is a Ridgeback that weighs about 60kg and Mardon said he is too heavy for her to take for walks.

“He (Levi) was lying on the floor when the dog just came on to him and bit him. The other dog was obviously not on a leash. The dog held on to Levi and they eventually had to be restrained,” said Mardon.

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Mardon said they initially thought Levi did not suffer any serious injuries because it was too dark to see so they did not exchange details with the owner of the other dog. It was only when they got home, did they see a large gash on Levi’s neck.

“I was so upset. I felt sick to my stomach to see an innocent creature suffer like that,” said Mardon.

Mardon said the veterinary bills came up to R1,800 and she wants the owner of the other dog to reimburse her.

“Her dog was not on a leash and that is illegal. When you’re in a park your dog should always be on a leash so she is liable for Levi’s medical bills. If she does not want to pay then I will take her to small claims court,” said Mardon.

According to the eThekwini Municipality’s bylaws, dogs should always be on leash in public spaces, including parks.

“The owner of any dog, which is found in any street or public place, otherwise than on a leash, held by a person or under some other form of bodily restraint shall be guilty of an offence,” states the city’s bylaws.

Mardon said they have not found the dog owner despite putting alerts out on Facebook.

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