Survivors of dog attacks burdened with the trauma

The loss of young human lives of concern

I was so afraid that it was going to kill me and I kept calling for help while trying to get it off me

“Kill it if you see it.” That is the wish of 12year-old Imange Ngxwalase, from Mdantsane’s NU13, after a stray dog, believed to be a pit bull cross, attacked him while he was walking with friends on Tuesday.

The dog, which Imange said did not bark, bit the grade 5 and cricket player twice on his face.

Down, crying and calling for help while his friends fled, Imange had to use his hands to pull the dog off his cheeks and lips.

The attack was so vicious that the doctor who treated Imange instructed his family to inform them should they find the owner so that they could open a case against him.

“I was playing with friends when, suddenly, this brown dog showed up. It did not look as if it was going to attack us. It also did not bark.

“The next thing it attacked me and I immediately fell down.

“I was so afraid that it was going to kill me and I kept calling for help while trying to get it off me,” said the pupil from Nowonga Junior Primary.

When the dog moved away Imange ran home bleeding profusely with his hands covering his wounds.

“What happened to me was traumatic. If one sees this dog I say it must be killed and the owner held accountable,” Imange said.

His mother Nosiphiwo, who was at work, was called. She immediately took her son to Nontyantyambo clinic, where she was told he needed the attention of Cecilia Makiwane hospital where he was treated and had his wounds stitched.

“I feel so sad. This is my son who he is going to have permanent scars on his face. He is traumatised and has not gone to school since Tuesday. I paid R500 for a taxi fare to and from the hospital.

“He loves playing cricket and the attack, which has taken its toll on him, might affect his performance.”

She called on dog owners, particularly those owning pit bulls, to guard their dogs. “Your dog must be at your house at all times.”

The owner of the dog was traced around the township but has denied he is the owner. Mlungiseleli Jaji said he came across the dog wandering in the street.

“I took the dog to my yard and chained it for two days. I gave it food. After realising it was not comfortable being chained, I released it,” Jaji said.

Eastern Cape communicator Sizwe Kupelo, speaking on behalf of his Sizwe Kupelo Foundation, has called for the ban of pit bull breeding in SA.

Kupelo owns six Boerboels, two German Shepherds and two Rottweilers. The dogs are on Kupelos various properties.

“Our recommendation to government is that pit bull breeding must be banned over time. We call for immediate castration of all male pit bulls and sterilisation of females, to phase out the breed.

“We are not calling for the animals to be killed. As an organisation looking after the interests of vulnerable children we are gravely concerned about the continued loss of young lives.

“Those defending the breed, we wish to refer to them to our constitution which guarantees the right to life of every South African.

“The breed has proven to be dangerous and unpredictable. We have therefore written to the ministers of agriculture, police and health.

“We also call on dog owners in general to groom dogs responsibly and ensure immunisation against rabies which also accounts for a number of rabies transmission to humans and we are aware of rabies deaths reported in various parts of the province

“We also caution against chaining of all kinds of dogs because this contributes to a dog’s depression which often results in attacks on humans.”

Kupelo’s call came after 10-year-old Storm Nuku, from Gelvandale in Gqeberha, was mauled to death on Monday by two pit bulls that belong to his family.

East London SPCA general manager and senior inspector, Andries Venter, said they did not agree with those calling for the ban of pit bulls.

“The SPCA does not agree to a ban of (pit bulls) because these animals are crossbred. How are you going to identify which animal is that of a specific breed (of pit bull)?

“If you look at national and international figures, pit bulls are the lesser aggressive animals than any other breed.

“Your Rottweilers come in tops because those are bigger, more aggressive dogs. Any dog that is raised in chains and a confined space is going to be frustrated.

“Pit bulls are what we call a ‘one owner dog’. It is not the breed that is at fault, it is how the animal is raised.

“The reason why pit bulls seem to be aggressive, especially in rural areas, is because they are a favourite breed.

“People living in those areas like the breed because they feel protected,” said Venter.

Historically, Venter said, pit bulls were bred to kill bulls. “The way they did it was to go for the throat. Their instinct is ‘go for the face’. This is same as a lion or cheetah, they go for throat.”

Venter advised pit bull owners to take their dogs for training. “Take them for walks and socialisation classes.”

Other local dog attacks include:

“Our recommendation to government is that pit bull breeding must be banned over time. We call for immediate castration of all male pit bulls and sterilisation of females, to phase out the breed.

● A Buffalo City Metro employee opened a case against the owner after she was attacked by a vicious dog in Cambridge in October 2021;

● An 11-year-old girl was attacked by a pit bull in Breidbach, Qonce, in March 2021. She was taken to a hospital where she was treated;

● A three-year-old girl was attacked and injured by a pit bull in Zwide, Gqeberha;

● In July 2014, a woman was mauled to death by a pit bull in Baysville; and

● In June 2009, two pit bulls were killed after savaging a Boerboel in Cambridge.