DURBAN - A Kloof and Highway SPCA officer rescued a woman from a vicious attack by a pack of dogs while on his way back from field work in the Savannah Park area in Pinetown last week.
Kloof SPCA manager Barbara Patrick said the attack took place last Wednesday.
Patrick said field officer Philani Nzama was collecting unwanted dogs from the Savannah Park area and was on his way back when he saw the woman being attacked by three dogs.
“He saw a lady being viciously attacked by three dogs while people stood and watched, no one was trying to help the lady,” she said.
She said Nzama used his control pole to scare off the dogs.
“He managed to free the lady who lay on the ground severely injured, with the bone in her arm exposed, and her open wounds were bleeding profusely,” said Patrick.
Patrick said the dogs ran back to their home and their owner arrived at the scene.
Nzama asked the owner of the dogs to take the woman, who was in need of immediate medical attention, to a hospital.
He carried the woman to the owner’s vehicle and she was transported to RK Khan hospital.
Nzama and his colleague, field officer Eric Simamane, returned to the property later that day to collect the dogs that had attacked the woman.
“The decision was made to humanely euthanise them and their bodies were sent to the State Vet for rabies testing,” said Patrick.
On Monday, Kloof SPCA received the results from the State Vet which indicated that one of the dogs had tested positive for rabies.
“Field Officer Philani had asked the lady for her cellphone number when he was helping her, but she explained she had no cellphone, was unemployed and lived alone – she was in the area looking for work.
“The Kloof and Highway SPCA contacted RK Khan Hospital, who had referred the lady to Albert Luthuli Hospital and she is thankfully receiving treatment for rabies now,” said Patrick.
Kloof SPCA thanked Nzama for his bravery despite the possibility that the dogs could have also attacked him.
Patrick said Nzama was devastated when he returned to the SPCA after this traumatic event
“He said he was afraid but knew he needed to help the lady as people stood and watched, he knew she would die if he didn’t help her. Thank you field officer Philani Nzama,” said Patrick.