A pack of pitbulls in an East London suburb this week viciously attacked three people, including a four-year-old.
The three are lucky to be alive as they escaped with deep wounds when the pack of dogs attacked them in Parkridge.
And yesterday, residents were up in arms, saying if the dogs were not put down they would attack more people – and maybe kill someone.
Community leader Mandy Fontein said they were tired of dogs that were posing a danger to people, especially children. “Today our children can’t even play outside on the street because of these dogs.
“We want them to be put down before they kill a person,” said Fontein, at a community meeting at the Haven Wellness Centre.
The meeting was also attended by the police.
On Wednesday morning Riahaana Ibrahim was walking with her four-year-old cousin, Cynidia Prince, down Parkridge Road when a pitbull came out of a yard and charged at them.
“The dog jumped to us but I managed to kick it and I grabbed the little girl. It came back and jumped on her.
“It locked its teeth on her and dragged us down and we fell. She was crying,” Ibrahim recalled.
She used her body to shield Cynidia.
“I even pushed it with my hands with the hope that it will bite me, but it kept coming for Cynidia,” she said.
Little Cynidia suffered serious deep wounds on her legs and body.
“She is struggling to sleep and is so traumatised by this,” Ibrahim said.
The ordeal lasted for a few minutes and Ibrahim’s brother and a friend came to their rescue.
“They also struggled but they managed to kick it,” she said.
Wednesday’s incident came after Gayonicia Arends and her friend Nikita Gysman were attacked by three pitbulls from the same house on Saturday evening.
“They attacked me when I was trying to save my friend. They surrounded me and I could not outrun them and they started to attack me,” said Arends, who suffered wounds on her hands and legs.
Gysman suffered deep wounds on her left leg.
“They wouldn’t let go of me and my friend jumped to help and they attacked her,” Gysman said.
Eurina Stowman of Haven Wellness Centre said action needed to be taken.
“We need to call for a community meeting where a decision will be taken for those who let their dogs loose to roam on the streets,” she said.
The Saturday Dispatch visited the home of the dogs but was told that the owners were not home. When called, the homeowner’s phone was off and the second phone number provided rang unanswered.
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala confirmed they were investigating a case of “ferocious dogs at large”. She said no one has been arrested. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Community outcry after pitbulls turn on young children
The three are lucky to be alive as they escaped with deep wounds when the pack of dogs attacked them in Parkridge.
And yesterday, residents were up in arms, saying if the dogs were not put down they would attack more people – and maybe kill someone.
Community leader Mandy Fontein said they were tired of dogs that were posing a danger to people, especially children. “Today our children can’t even play outside on the street because of these dogs.
“We want them to be put down before they kill a person,” said Fontein, at a community meeting at the Haven Wellness Centre.
The meeting was also attended by the police.
On Wednesday morning Riahaana Ibrahim was walking with her four-year-old cousin, Cynidia Prince, down Parkridge Road when a pitbull came out of a yard and charged at them.
“The dog jumped to us but I managed to kick it and I grabbed the little girl. It came back and jumped on her.
“It locked its teeth on her and dragged us down and we fell. She was crying,” Ibrahim recalled.
She used her body to shield Cynidia.
“I even pushed it with my hands with the hope that it will bite me, but it kept coming for Cynidia,” she said.
Little Cynidia suffered serious deep wounds on her legs and body.
“She is struggling to sleep and is so traumatised by this,” Ibrahim said.
The ordeal lasted for a few minutes and Ibrahim’s brother and a friend came to their rescue.
“They also struggled but they managed to kick it,” she said.
Wednesday’s incident came after Gayonicia Arends and her friend Nikita Gysman were attacked by three pitbulls from the same house on Saturday evening.
“They attacked me when I was trying to save my friend. They surrounded me and I could not outrun them and they started to attack me,” said Arends, who suffered wounds on her hands and legs.
Gysman suffered deep wounds on her left leg.
“They wouldn’t let go of me and my friend jumped to help and they attacked her,” Gysman said.
Eurina Stowman of Haven Wellness Centre said action needed to be taken.
“We need to call for a community meeting where a decision will be taken for those who let their dogs loose to roam on the streets,” she said.
The Saturday Dispatch visited the home of the dogs but was told that the owners were not home. When called, the homeowner’s phone was off and the second phone number provided rang unanswered.
Police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala confirmed they were investigating a case of “ferocious dogs at large”. She said no one has been arrested. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos