Durban - A Chatsworth family is demanding that their neighbour’s dog be put down after it bit their 12-year-old relative.
But the dog owner refuses, claiming that his dog was provoked after the boy allegedly threw stones at it.
Grade 6 pupil, Christian Samuels, of Moorton, said he was walking to a nearby shopping centre with his older brother when he was attacked.
He said he was tying his shoelaces when he noticed the dog running towards him.
Christian said that dog’s owner had opened the gate and it escaped. It then jumped on him, scratching his chest with its nails.
Christian said the dog then jumped off him and started walking towards its home.
“It suddenly turned and charged at me again. It just started biting me.”
Christian was bitten on his chest and groin. He received stitches and said he was in a lot of pain and struggling to walk.
His aunt, Elizabeth Govender, said this was the second person in their family to be attacked by the same dog.
Her son was also bitten recently and spent seven weeks recovering in hospital.
“My son, Elijah, was walking by with his friends when he was attacked. He had to have reconstructive surgery to his arms. He still has the scars,” she said.
Govender said that it was only a matter of time before another person was attacked.
The dog’s owner, Anthony Govender, denied his white German Shepherd, Zeus, was dangerous.
“He is not some sort of vicious wolf that attacks people all the time. This is the second attack on the same family because those boys torment Zeus and throw stones at him.”
He said he would never put his dog down, but would rather give it away if authorities forced him to.
Elizabeth Govender denied her nephew and son had teased the dog.
Barbara Batohi, another neighbour on the same street, said the dog needed to be put down.
“We are all very scared of this dog and do not even like walking past that house. That dog is a terror,” she said.
Provincial police spokesman, Colonel Jay Naicker, confirmed the incident.
“A case of keeping a ferocious dog was registered at the Chatsworth police station.
“The case has been handed over to the metro police for further investigation.”
Daily News