Woman attacked by vicious dogs
The victim received approximately 45 stitches to her ankles
AN Empangeni woman was unable to work for more than a week after she was attacked by two dogs earlier this month.
Donna Baillie and her daughter were attacked near Five Ways Mall while taking their Dachshund for a walk.
‘I looked up to see two dogs hurtling towards us,’ said Donna.
‘Judging by their aggression, I realised we were in deep trouble and picked up my dog as quickly as possible.’
The two cross-breed dogs bit her numerous times around her ankles as her daughter, who escaped injury, tried to fight the dogs off.
Two passersby, Charlene de Blance and Mandy Buss, rushed to their aid, and Donna claims a third woman, whom she saw on the veranda of the house where the dogs had come from, ignored her pleas for help.
‘She just stood there and did absolutely nothing to assist us.’
Donna received approximately 45 stitches to her ankles and had to undergo further treatment as the dogs had not been inoculated against rabies.
‘I must sincerely thank Charlene de Blance, Mandy and Gavin Buss as well as Dr Adetiba at Life Empangeni Garden Clinic for their assistance during the ordeal,’ said Donna.
By-laws
Although not fully enforceable by the SAPS or SPCA, victims are given full recourse to lay charges in cases such as these.
Should a person be found guilty of negligence resulting in injury to another, they would be liable upon conviction to a fine or imprisonment of up to two years.
Additionally, the court can order the animal’s removal and declare owners unfit to keep animals of any kind.
Further fines of R500 are imposed for each pet not licenced or inoculated.
‘Even if the dogs are used for security, you have to get them trained and well socialised,’ said Senior Inspector at the Empangeni SPCA, Roland Fivaz.
‘Keeping an untrained dog is like leaving loaded a gun lying around – people can be hurt, or even killed.’
