Two Summer Greens residents say they are fighting for justice after their dogs were attacked and killed by pit bulls in separate incidents last week.
Timothy Derrick, 62, says he was walking his Jack Russell, Patch, on Monday afternoon June 5, when he passed a man and a woman sitting on the grass on the corner of Archers Green and Woodcutters Way.
“They were sitting there with their white pit bull tied loosely to the stop sign. As I passed, this dog broke free and attacked my dog. These people made no effort to help. A resident in Archers Green tried to help me and my dog. I was bitten on my thigh trying to rescue my dog. We rushed her (Patch) to a vet, but the vet said her injuries were too severe. I was told the kindest thing to do was to put her to sleep.”
Mr Derrick said he had to get rabies and tetanus shots.
“I tried reporting this to Milnerton SAPS. I was then told by one officer that no charges could be laid because the dog was not ordered to attack. I am not giving up on that. I am still finding a way to lay a charge. These dog attacks don’t stop as on Wednesday June 7, another dog was killed,” he said.
That dog, a Maltese poodle called Connor, was attacked by a pit bull in Tinkers Road at around 1pm, according to its owner Chelsea Whittle.
She said two loose pit bulls had come charging at the unlocked gate to their front yard. One of the pit bulls had pulled Connor through the gaps in the gate and started mauling him outside the yard.
“I heard panic and cries coming from outside my house. I heard my daddy in a panic, dogs barking, and I just knew one of my fur babies was in trouble,” she said.
“I ran out in the rain with nothing but socks on my feet to the sight of my baby boy being choked by the neck by a pit bull I’ve never seen in my road before. I acted quickly and caught my smallest dog when I saw another pit bull charging ahead. I threw her inside the house and came back out to see my father kicking at the pit bull who had my baby in its mouth. He never once let go. Within a second, my sweet boy died in the mouth of this bully. I fell to my knees as I saw my dog being dragged down the street.”
Ms Whittle and her father had then followed a trail of blood and found Connor in front of a house in Bakers Crecsent. Ms Whittle said Connor’s throat and stomach had been ripped open and one of his paws had been almost detached from his leg,
“We made a criminal case against the owners, who we now know, and contacted the SPCA. But nothing has been done. We really just want justice for Connor. He was a loving, beautiful dog. He wasn’t just a dog, he was family. And not only for Connor but, I fear, for everyone, pets and especially children in Summer Greens. Something seriously needs to be done,” she said.
Milnerton SAPS did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Summer Greens Residents’ Association chairwoman Bridgette Lloyd said the owners of the pit bulls had been negligent and irresponsible and they should be held accountable.
“There must be a law that can be enforced to hold these owners accountable because what would have happened in a case if a child was attacked or killed by one of these pit bulls on the loose? We are calling on animal welfare to drive around in our community, like they used to, and if they see any animal roaming the street unattended or neglected, it should be impounded.”
SPCA spokeswoman Belinda Abraham said stray and aggressive animals were the responsibility of the City’s Animal Control Unit.
Anyone attacked by an animal could lay charges against the owner at the closest police station in terms of the Animal Matters Amendment Act, but victims would need supporting evidence such as a doctor’s report, photos and affidavits from eyewitnesses, she said.
Law Enforcement spokesman Wayne Dyason said that complaints about dogs should be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by phoning 021 480 7700 from a cellphone and 107 from a landline.
“A person who keeps any animal must ensure that it is kept under proper and effective control when it leaves the premises where it is kept and that it does not endanger any person, animal or property when it leaves the premises. Failure to do so can lead to a fine of up to R5000 and/or impoundment of the dog if a court orders,” he said.
