Pet owner speaks out over shooting of beloved Deja
JOBURG - Owners of the dog that was shot and killed by a Community Active Protection (CAP) reaction officer on 24 July have given their version of the incident.
Jena Dover, who was present at the time, said they have no interest in swaying public opinion about CAP.
According to her, at about 11pm their front gate doorbell rang, her mother responded and began speaking to CAP security guards. She said they had not pressed the panic button and CAP had not phoned.
Dover stated, “The CAP officer mentioned that he had noticed the gate was slightly ajar. My Mother acknowledged this. The CAP guard then began pulling on the gate and continued to converse with my mother over the intercom, however, she had been struggling to hear… the guards’ further communication.”
According to Dover, there is a sign on the gate warning of guard dogs.
“We do not have four dogs as alleged in CAP’s statement,” added Dover. She said their two dogs had assumed they were under threat as there were two unknown males, and approached the officers. At this point, it is alleged, one of the reaction officers fired at one dog, Stella. “My mother became hysterical and hurriedly tried to reassure the remaining guard that he should just stay still and calm down,” added Dover.
Their second dog Deja was startled by the shot and grabbed the officer’s arm. As a result, the officer shot Deja in the head at point-blank range. “Deja believed her owner was under threat. Once she got to him she grabbed on to his arm,” stated Dover, claiming the guard had ignored her mother. According to her their mother was standing close by when both shots were fired.
When Dover heard the shots she rushed outside and found Deja lying in a pool of blood. “She had been able to move a couple of metres towards the front door.
“If they genuinely felt we were in danger, why did the security guards shoot and run away? [The second guard] disappeared from the scene.”
According to Dover, she saw the guards wounds. “He had a number of small puncture wounds along his left arm. His demeanor was dismissive.”
Click here to read the initial report.
Dover asked the reaction officer why his first reaction was to shoot to kill. “He shrugged and pointed at his arm,” added Dover.
“He was by no means in the condition that CAP alleged. He was by no means a victim.”
According to Dover, CAP did not call them. “No CAP supervisors arrived to check on our well-being, nor to apologise, nor provide us with an explanation, or offer to investigate,” added Dover.
“I contacted CAP requesting to speak to the supervising manager. I was assured he would call the next day.”
According to Dover, a person claiming to be a supervisor called to advise her that an independent body would be investigating the incident.
She said their previous security company had used tasers to ward off animals and said that CAP should provide adequate training to prevent such incidents.
Dover said CAP called it a Pitbull attack, and feels this is wrong, as Deja was a loving household pet who loved children and animals and was only trying to keep her family safe, as any other dog would do.
Dover stated, “Our family is traumatised and affected by the speed and brutality of CAP’s response… and, in this instance, we believe CAP failed in its ability to assess the situation.”
CEO of CAP, Mark van Jaarsveld responded, “The tactical officer said he had exhausted all… options to stop the attack, including several desperate pleas to the homeowner. As a last resort, he discharged his firearm in an attempt to save his life.
“We extend our greatest sympathy to the owners of the dog. We also wish a speedy recovery and strength to the tactical officer and his family, who together with all CAP tactical officers put their lives on the line daily to ensure a safer community for us all.”
Van Jaarsveld stated that CAP would be appointing an independent third party to investigate and verify all the facts leading up to, and surrounding the incident.
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