Durban -
Bystander outrage at the alleged attempt by Durban beach lifeguards to drown two dogs, has prompted an inquiry by the eThekwini Municipality.
Spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said they had received reports that two lifeguards are alleged to have dragged the Jack Russells, tied to a swimming area sign, into the sea and nearly drowning one of them.
A witness, Staffy McCann, said the dogs had been tied by their leashes to the sign by an elderly man before he went for a swim at Battery Beach at about 6am on Wednesday.
“The lifeguards came down and tried to move the sign but the dogs started barking at them.”
McCann said the men threw sand at the dogs, which agitated them more.
“They then dragged the sign into the ocean, about knee-deep.”
Teressa Lugg, another witness, who was training on the beach said: “The smaller dog, which was about ankle-high, was more feisty and energetic and managed to pull free.”
Lugg said she initially thought the dogs belonged to the lifeguards, but when she saw the men walk away she realised the dogs were in danger.
“The other dog could not get free and started gurgling in the water. It looked petrified.”
She said a French tourist ran to the dog’s aid, untying it from the sign post while she rushed over to the lifeguards.
“I asked the one who had dragged the sign into the water why he had done that.
“He nonchalantly said ‘because it was barking at me’. I screamed at him that that’s what dogs do – they bark,” said Lugg.
McCann was equally outraged and had also run down to the shoreline to confront the lifeguards.
“They showed absolutely no remorse, they said they were just trying to do their jobs and set up.”
Lugg said although the main culprit was one of the lifeguards, the other just watched and didn’t try to stop him.
“Animals can’t fight for themselves. A dog is not just a dog, it’s like part of the family. He didn’t even care that the dogs could have drowned.”
Even in the presence of beach patrol officers the lifeguard seemed to believe they had done nothing wrong, said McCann.
This was not helped by one of the officers being dismissive, said Lugg.
She said she was threatened by the one officer with a charge for having dogs on the beach.
“I told her they were not my dogs. Besides that was not the point.
“The point was that this lifeguard, who is supposed to be saving lives, had almost killed a dog,” she said.
Lugg said she was “shushed away” by the lifeguard.
The officers took down details, but Mofokeng could not confirm if a formal complaint had been laid. McCann said she hoped the matter would be handled appropriately.
“They were little ankle-biter dogs, they were not vicious.
“If they were really scared of the dogs, they could have called someone to take them away and deal with the owner.”
When the owner surfaced and was told what had happened, he was shaken, said McCann.
His details were also taken by the officers.