82-year-old attacked by dog on uMhlanga beach
The same dog had attempted to bite the Chartwell Drive resident just two days earlier.
AN uMhlanga resident who was walking on uMhlanga promenade last Sunday was attacked and bitten by a dog who was on a leash. Horst Engel suffered four puncture wounds to his right hand. What’s more the 82-year-old diabetic said the same dog had attempted to bite him just two days earlier.
Engel who was born in Hamburg, said he has walked on the promenade everyday for the past 16 years but this was the first time he was attacked.
“It was about 6pm and I was focused on finishing my walk when the dog, it looked like a Border Collie cross Labrador pulled on its leash dragging it’s owner with it and biting my right hand. I was just shocked and I instinctively pulled my hand away. The owner apologised and I thought nothing of it because I couldn’t see the damage done to my hand.
“It was only as I neared Lighthouse Road that I saw the blood dripping down my hand. When I got home my wife washed my hand out and used disinfectant on it. I called my doctor who told me to get to hospital to get a rabies and a tetanus shot. I have reported the incident to the uMhlanga Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) who are looking for the owners,” he said.
Engel added he was concerned the dog may bite someone else.
“Two days before the dog bit me, it lunged at me but the owner was able to pull it away by the leash. This time the owner’s partner, was having a conversation and the dog was able to drag her a bit of the way before pulling the dog on a leash. I want to see more responsibility from pet owners.
“I love dogs and I’m glad this dog was on a leash, however, I think dogs, especially bigger ones, should be trained. Owners also have to be more aware of their animals, especially when they are talking or taking a breather,” he said.
