A two-year-old toddler is recuperating after being viciously attacked by a pit bull last week Thursday.
Thabo Mofokeng received more than 50 stitches to his head, face, neck, jaw and arm.
The incident occurred when he had just come back from crèche with his two sisters Suli (13) and Lindiwe (10) who had gone to fetch him. They opened the gate to let their nanny out and forgot to close the gate. During this time, their parents were both at work.
Thabo was playing with his ball in the yard when the dog, who was roaming the street, ran towards the toddler and started to attack him.
The dog, which belongs to a neighbour knocked, down the toddler and started to bite his clothes and arm.
Another neighbour, Dean Mulder heard the frantic screams of the toddler and his sister’s cries for help. Mulder ran to the rescue and started beating the dog with a broom but it took a kick in the ribs before the dog eventually let go of the toddler.
Lindiwe said they were scared because their young brother was getting hurt and there was not much they could do to help.
“The dog was so vicious and it dragged my brother around, it was scary. We are always wary of that dog because when our neighbours take it out for a walk it is always barking and straining itself against its leash with a foamy mouth,” said Lindiwe.
Two nurses walking down the street were called for assistance. They stabilised Thabo and cleaned his wounds. He was then rushed to the Robinson Private Hospital in Randfontein where he received treatment.
Mulder had sustained a deep wound to the left foot and he was rushed to Leratong hospital where he received continuous tetanus shots. Thabo was in the hospital for three days and had to be operated on. Although doctors said he will recover well, his jaw is still sensitive and it will take time for things to get better.
The family called the Roodepoort police who allegedly took three hours to arrive and said they will not be taking any statements or arresting anybody. They had to go to the police station themselves to open a case.
Phetile Mofokeng, the toddler’s mother said she was angered by the lack of progress as the police have not investigated the incident further.
“We opened a case at the Roodepoort police station but nobody has come to investigate further as of yet. We have called the SPCA to take away the dog because it will hurt another child if it stays in the neighbourhood. Our child is disfigured because of an uncontrollable dog. I would understand if this incident happened in the street but it’s in our yard, our home,” said Phetile.
The owners of the dog and the Roodepoort police could not be contacted for comment.
According to the internet, a Pit bull’s genetic make up was developed so it would be a good fighting dog. However, this genetic disposition does not mean that all Pit bulls are aggressive or that they are prone to attacking other animals.
Pit bulls require the same amount of socialization training as other dogs during puppy-hood, possibly more.
Like any dog, a Pit bull that is well socialized is less likely to attack when it feels threatened. The Pit bull breed is known to be more rough and tumble during play time, but frequent socialization with other dogs can mean that a Pit bull pet goes into adulthood with a positive feeling towards other dogs.
Without proper socialization, they are more prone to act aggressively.
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