There have been more than 40 reported incidents of dog attacks on people in the past year, says the SPCA.
The latest attack was on three-year-old Lincoln Nimmurhoutd who was mauled by a Rottweiler outside a school in Belhar on Sunday.
Lincoln was attacked while walking past Perseverance Secondary School with his stepfather, Uzent Likcs, and aunt Janice Lopes. The dog belonged to a security company hired by the school and was put down by the SPCA on the day of the attack.
Lincoln is still in ICU at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital after undergoing surgery
to reconstruct his jaw and nose.
“He hasn’t woken up since the surgery. His ears have been stitched back as they were nearly bitten off,” said Likcs. “A metal plate has been inserted into his jaw and he has scratches all over his body. Doctors said he might be here for a few weeks.”
Likcs said the trauma was starting to take its toll on the family. Family members were taking turns to be at Lincoln’s bedside day and night.
“We are really tired… and it’s slowly getting to his mother, Cerenice. I am still traumatised by what I saw… I can’t sleep but we have to deal with it for Lincoln’s sake.”
Likcs said Lincoln was a very happy child who always made jokes.
“Seeing him lying motionless on a hospital bed just breaks my heart.”
Police laid a charge of serious assault against the security guard who was meant to be looking after the dog.
SPCA inspectorate manager Moyo Ndukwana said it had received more than 40 reports of dog attacks on people in the past year.
Commenting on the latest incident, Ndukwana said: “The SPCA will be adding charges to the police docket against the security guard for Contravention of the Performing Animals Protection Act (Papa), for the use of a dog for safeguarding without a Papa licence and the Animal Matters Amendment Act, which is enforced by the SAPS.”
Ndukwana said last June, a man had been attacked by dogs that escaped from a school in Ottery. The dogs lived on the property and belonged to a caretaker.
In January two-year-old Meeka Riley Lackay underwent surgery after she was attacked by a Rottweiler at Clifton’s First Beach. The dog belonged to self-styled “dog whisperer” James Lech, from Camps Bay.
Lech was fined R1 500 by the city and the police for contravening the regulations governing dog walks on beaches.
Meeka’s family also laid a charge against him with the police. The Rottweiler was later put down by a private vet arranged by Lech.
Meeka’s mother Chanell Lackay said the attack on Lincoln had opened up old wounds.
“All the events of that day came back and opened up some very emotional wounds. Meeka is still in the healing process but she is doing okay.”
Lackay said she was waiting for news on the case against Lech and her attorneys were still working on it.
SPCA chief executive Allan Perrins said: “The dog paid the ultimate price for Lech’s irresponsible behaviour. There is no such thing as a dangerous dog but rather there are dangerous owners.”
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