Boy, 5, mauled by dog

A 5-year-old boy is recovering from his injuries after being attacked by a dog in Kocksvlei over the weekend.

According to Angelique Fleischer, Benjamin’s mother the incident happened on Friday last week when her son visited a neighbour.

“We were at home when our neighbour had a get together and asked if I would like to send my children over because she had children coming to her house as well. I agreed and my children went next door. The only thing that separates the two houses are a palisade fence so I could still see my children. We were all just standing there and just as I was about to say goodbye to my children, the dog just went for my son.”

The dog the bit Benjamin’s head open and he had to be rushed to hospital.

“You could see this dog was not interested in just biting my son. He went for the kill,” Fleischer said.

Benjamin was initially rushed to Robinson Hospital but was later transferred to Potchefstroom hospital.

Fleischer explains that her neighbour paid for the doctors consultation fees but neither her or her neighbour had the over R40 000 that Robinson asked to be put down for the surgery so Benjamin had to be rushed to Potchefstroom hospital.

The dog has since been taken to the Randfontein SPCA by the owner who wanted the dog to be put down but later changed her mind as she stated her son would take the dog, according to Lucy Phillips from the Randfontein SPCA.

“The dog is in a safe holding and we will keep the dog until the police tell us what happens with the case and advises us what to do,” Phillips said.

“There have been no incidents like this in the past. The dog has never been aggressive and I have a good relationship with her (neighbour). I understand that this is not her fault, these things happen.”

Comment is still awaited from the owner as the Herald has approached the owner of the dog for comment but she could not be reached at the time.