A lovable, three-year-old family pet turned into a treacherous killer this week when he attacked his owner with such savagery that she died within minutes from multiple bites and deep lacerations.
Schoolteacher Rita Boschoff, who lives on the farm Ennersdale in the Estcourt area with her fellow teacher husband Neels, was carrying a basket of washing to the line when the couple's pet boerboel, Butch, suddenly attacked her for no apparent reason.
Her screams of agony were heard by her husband, who immediately ran to her aid and tried to ward off the crazed animal. Unable to subdue the dog, he was also attacked as his wife lay bleeding on the ground. He managed to escape and ran to the house, grabbing his firearm. He raced back and shot the dog through the head, killing it immediately.
"I cannot bear to think about what has happened to my wife," the distraught husband said on Saturday.
"It is too terrible for words. Our dog Butch has never shown any aggression towards my wife, but he did attack me last year when I was playing with another dog. He bit me on the arm, but I put it down to jealousy and did not think too much about it afterwards. Now I realise that he was potentially dangerous - and lethal."
He said that he had bought Butch from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, because he seemed a strong dog which would protect the property.
"I had heard from many people, particularly other farmers, that the boerboel would make a faithful pet and also an excellent watchdog," he said.
"Now after this tragedy I want to warn other owners and breeders that they must be extremely careful with dogs like boerboels."
The sad irony, said Boschoff, was that his wife loved the dog and was always giving it special treats.
"She was the one who always fed him and they seemed to bond very well together."
Boschoff said that his wife would have turned 54 next Saturday. She taught Afrikaans at Estcourt High School, while he taught maths. Boschoff is also a goat and beef-cattle farmer,
The acting head of Estcourt High School, Marie Lourens, said, "The school and community are in absolute shock. There is a pall of gloom hanging over us as we have lost a brilliant teacher, with matric results to prove it. She was loved by her pupils.
"We have been friends for more than 30 years and this freak accident has left a void in the school that will be hard to fill."
Boschof was also seriously injured in the attack and needed to be hospitalised.
Police Superintendent Joshua Gwala said an inquest docket had been opened, but there would be no formal police investigation.
Rita Boschoff will be cremated on Wednesday.
The KwaZulu-Natal Boerboel Club's Hester Grobbelaar said that boerboels were "disciplined and lovable dogs" but required special care and handling.