Cape Town - A scared and heartbroken Bonteheuwel mother says she wants justice for her one-year-old daughter who was viciously attacked by a pitbull while playing inside her home.
Gasna Isaacs said while their front door was open last month, the pitbull entered their home, bit her mother Elaine and her daughter Shanoor.
“The owner loosened (sic) the dog so the dog came in as the door was opened and started biting my mom.
“My daughter was on the couch at that time.
“So my mom picked up my daughter and the dog left my mother and started biting my child.
“I then called my brother to help my mom, and the dog bit him too,” said Isaacs.
The dog was euthanised at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA at the request of its owner last Monday.
An emotional Isaacs said her daughter now cries when she hears the sound of a dog barking.
“She still has a hole at the back of her leg where the dog bit her. We give her panado for the pain. I am still traumatised. If I close my eyes, it's as if I’m seeing it all over again,” the mother said.
Isaacs said she has opened a case against the dog owner who lives on the same street and said she hopes her case can go to court. The SPCA also said there were allegedly reports that dog had attacked at least three residents in the community.
Bonteheuwel councillor Angus McKenzie said despite a case being opened with the police, there had been no updates on the case.
“This little girl is now struggling to deal with the pain and the trauma of being bitten by the dog. In all this time, there has been no action from SAPS, despite a case number there have also been no visits from them to the families to try and follow up on the case,” he said.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said Bishop Lavis police are investigating a case of assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm that occurred on July 13.
“According to reports a man was walking his dog down Prunus road in Bonteheuwel, when the dog attacked and bit three people inside the premises. The injured was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The suspect is known only by an alias and is yet to be arrested,” he said.
SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said parents need to be more vigilant when it comes to children’s interactions with dogs, as children younger than about four or five have a hard time understanding certain guidelines when it comes to animals.
Cape Times