A CHILD caregiver who was brutally attacked by two dogs fears that she may never be able to walk again after sustaining severe injuries to both her legs.
Wendy Nana (31) of The Bluff, said she and three-year-old Sinoyolo Hlanjwa, were walking to a nearby primary school to drop off an asthma pump for another child from their home, when they were attacked on Boshoff Street on November 15.
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Nana said that as they turned into the road, she saw a young boy, dressed in school uniform, with two big dogs, one of which was a Rottweiler.
“The dogs were not on a leash. When the dogs saw us, they started barking and began running. Sinoyolo sat down and they jumped on him.
“I managed to pick him up and throw him over a fence into a yard. As I was trying to climb over, one of the dogs grabbed my leg. I kept trying to escape, but I eventually was pulled to the ground,” she said.
Nana said that while one of the dogs was biting her legs, the other tried to bite her neck and face.
“I kept trying to push it off me and was screaming for help. That is when someone fired two gunshots, and the dogs let go. The owner of the property where I threw Sinoyolo into tried to help me, but the dogs ran back and tried to attack me again,” she said.
Nana said more residents started to arrive, as well as the police and paramedics. “I started to lose consciousness as I was in so much pain and was losing a lot of blood. After a while, the dogs’ owner came and took them away. She didn’t even check if we were okay.
“I have not been able to sleep because of the pain, and I am scared that I won’t be able to walk as they tore out so much of my flesh that you can see the bone,” she said.
Sinoyolo’s mother, Nolwandle, said they were disappointed that the dogs’ owner had not contacted them since the incident. “There is absolutely no remorse.
“Wendy and my child have suffered so much trauma. There needs to be some accountability. We are now looking to get an attorney to assist us,” she said.
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The dogs’ owner, who declined to be named, said she had left for work that morning, and despite closing the gate, the dogs had run out of the property. “I didn’t know my gate was going to bounce back and open. My son, who was at home waiting for his transport to pick him up, saw the gate was open a few minutes after I left and rushed to get his remote to close the gate, but the dogs were already out.”
“The woman and little boy were walking on the roadside when my dogs went up to them and sniffed them. The woman was afraid and started screaming – that is when one of the dogs bit her leg.”
The owner said her son grabbed Sinoyolo and put him over the fence and then attempted to get the dogs off of Wendy. “But a gentleman came in and fired a shot in the air to frighten the dogs.
My son called me immediately. We took our dogs away first and then went back to the scene. I wasn’t allowed to talk to the woman or the little boy. The police and paramedics were busy with them. They took my details and said they would call me to tell me what the next steps would be to take,” she said.
The owner added that the dogs were very friendly. “This is the first time something like this has happened. We would also never intentionally leave our gate open for the dogs to go on the road.”
Captain Louise Le Roux, Brighton Beach Police spokesperson, said they were investigating a case of negligently allowing or the failure to prevent an animal from causing injury to another person.
Le Roux said police are urging dog owners to take the necessary steps to ensure the safekeeping of their pets and that they are well cared for.
“It is imperative that the owners of dogs ensure that sufficient fencing exists around their dwelling – the fence should be a decent height, sturdy and well-maintained.”
Le Roux said security features, such as a gate or gates to the premises, must also be sturdy and always in working condition.
“This security feature must be utilised optimally. Owners should also ensure that there is a warning sign on the gate, fence or both indicating that there is a dog in the dwelling.”
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Le Roux said owners are to ensure that their dog is provided with sufficient water, food and shelter during the night and day when occupying the dwelling. She said that when taking your dog for a walk, ensure that it is in a body harness appropriate for the type of dog and its size.
“Ensure that the harness remains maintained and is correctly placed on the dog so as to ensure no discomfort and full effectiveness thereof. This also applies to the appropriate leash.”
Le Roux said that no unauthorised person should enter a dwelling where a dog is being homed without seeking the prior permission of the homeowner.
“If the homeowners are aware that their dog or dogs are aggressive, then they should make prior arrangements to ensure the safekeeping of such animals prior to the arrival of visitors. Visitors must also be instructed not to interfere with the dog or dogs when placed in ‘safekeeping’,” she said.
Le Roux said that if a person is attacked or bitten by a dog, they can request that a criminal matter be registered and investigated in terms of the Animal Matters Amendment Act 42 of 1993.
“Should the incident be recurring, and [there is] aggressive behaviour, such as chasing or attacking people continues, you may obtain a protection order from your district magistrate’s court, in terms of the Protection from Harassment Act 17 of 2011.
“If you have sustained injuries as a result of a dog bite, do not accept any financial remuneration from the dog owner as an incentive to refrain from opening a criminal matter for investigation,” she said.
Le Roux said it is imperative that pedestrians, joggers, cyclists and children refrain from taunting dogs.
“Do not throw stones or objects at dogs enclosed behind fences and gates when passing a dwelling where a dog is being homed. This also applies to dogs roaming the streets unattended,” she said.
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