KZN dad mauled by pitbulls laid to rest

Published Dec 2, 2016

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Durban - A Merebank father who was attacked by three pitbulls near his home has been laid to rest.

Animal behavourists, however, claimed pitbulls are often misunderstood breeds and more education needs to be disseminated to prevent incidents like these.

Morganathan “Mannie” Moodley, 59, was entering a tuckshop premises several doors away from his home in Lakhimpur Road when the dogs bit him.

Moodley entered the yard last Friday, at a time when the dog kennels were allegedly being cleaned and the dogs were untied. The dogs ran towards him and knocked him to the ground. It is alleged they ripped out chunks of his leg, bit his ears, hands, face and other parts of his body. Moodley’s relative, Neil Pather, said Moodley had screamed for help. The domestic worker from the tuckshop and another resident rushed to his aid. Pather said Moodley was rushed to hospital.

“On Monday he was transferred to Albert Luthuli Hospital, where he later went into cardiac arrest and died. The family is distraught,” he said.

Police spokeswoman Captain Nqobile Gwala confirmed the incident and said the matter was still under investigation.

The owner of the dogs, who did not identify herself, said she was sorry about the incident, but did not feel it was her fault. She claimed the dogs had been handed over to the SPCA.

Durban and Coastal SPCA spokeswoman Lindsey Concer confirmed this, saying the owner contacted them on Wednesday to collect the dogs and to humanely euthanase the pitbulls.

South African animal behaviourist John Faul, who is based in Cape Town, said people were buying pitbulls for the wrong reason. He called on pitbull organisations to provide training and education on how to handle the breed.

“A great majority of people are at risk when they buy this breed. These dogs turn on the owner. But it does not make this type of breed a bad one. They are bred to have a high defence reflex and are fearless and unwavering in the face of combat. People buy them as an accessory. They want the dog to prove it is tough for all the wrong reasons,” he said.

Faul advised those people who have pitbulls to find an organisation that can help them better understand the breed.

“Some owners tease these dogs and provoke them over a period of time. They are winding them up. Get involved in the breeding circles for good management skills. All dogs can bark and attack a person for no apparent reason, but the pitbull is an exception. No other dog can do what it does,” he said.

Faul advised those who are being attacked to:

1: Remain calm and do not be aggressive

2: Do not beat the dog with objects or kick it

3: Someone must get hold of the dog’s head and try and push a bite stick between its jaws to initiate a release or

4: Restrain the dog by holding its head and then calmly talk him/ her out of the attack or aggressive zone by saying “let go, there is a good boy/ girl, let go boy/ girl.”

KZN canine behaviour specialist Steve van Staden gave the following criteria in preventing human injuries or deaths:

* Don’t buy from a breeder where abnormal aggression is perceived in either the dam or sire.

* Ask the breeder for their vet’s details and speak to the vet yourself.

* When gathering information be careful not to let your judgement be clouded by emotions.

* Enrol pets in a sound education programme where the critical imprinting needs are catered for adequately at the appropriate time.

* Ensure temperament compatibility and, if in doubt about this aspect, consult someone who understands the human and canine psyche.

“There is nothing wrong with pitbulls. This is solely an owner issue. Over the years I have been around many terrier-breed dogs that have never caused their owners any concern whatsoever regarding people safety. A puppy’s mind develops quickly, and just like children they will become dysfunctional should the adaptive intelligence be stunted due to poor early learning,” Van Staden said.

Van Staden said in an interview with the owners of the dogs would enable him to determine what caused such a terrible incident.He refuses to believe that, when acquiring a pitbull, the owners are unaware of the history of this breed.

Other recent dog attacks

* December last year

A Phoenix resident Rakesh Rampersad, 28, survived after he was attacked by four pitbulls near his home.

An 8-year-old Howick boy died from being mauled by his neighbour’s German Shepherds at his home. The dogs were later removed and destroyed by the SPCA

* April 26

Shaik Adam Hoosen survived after being bitten on his head by two pitbulls in Phoenix.

* May

A 3-year-old uMlazi boy Amukelani Bhengu was mauled to death two pitbulls. The family dogs were later shot by the police.

* August

Sumenthra Moodley, 33, of Malvern, had been visiting her nearby parents’ home when she was attacked by four pitbulls which belonged to her parents’ tenant. She was badly injured.

* In Cape Town , Faith Hendricks was killed after the family’s pitbull grabbed her by the neck and shook her about “like a ragdoll”.

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