Bull terrier mauls women, dogs

Two women were injured when they tried in vain to save their pets from a loose bull terrier on Sea Point Promenade.

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Cape Town - Trying to save your animal in a dog fight can result in significant injury, as two women found out to their detriment on Friday when they were mauled by a bull terrier on the Sea Point Promenade.

The owner of the dog is facing charges in terms of an animal by-law after his pet chased a Maltese poodle, another dog, as well as the two women, injuring them all.

It is not clear at this stage if the bull terrier was on a leash. It was being walked by a dogwalker, not the owner.

Jacques Weber, ward councillor for the Sea Point area and surrounds, told Weekend Argus the attack occurred before 9.45am on Friday.

“Two people were injured in the dog fight. It was a bull terrier dog. It was not clear if the dog had broken off a leash of if he was ever on a leash,” he said.

Weber said the two women were walking their Maltese poodle. “I arrived on the scene about 10.25am (on Friday) and was informed that a bull terrier attacked a Maltese poodle that was walking with two elderly women at the Sea Point Promenade.

“During the attack the one woman tried to pull the dogs apart and was injured. The second woman tried to help but got hurt in the process as well.”

Weber said they were injured while trying to save their pet.

“The (bull terrier) bit the woman. Her friend tried to rescue her and in the process, the (bull terrier) bit her finger and thumb.”

The bull terrier then ran after another dog.

“We have taken statements and are compiling a docket. I am keeping very close tabs on this. If the dog was not on a leash, there will be serious repercussions.”

He said there were conflicting reports about the dog being on a leash and breaking loose. Others said the dog was never on a leash.

The two injured women were taken to New Somerset Hospital for treatment.

Bianca Carls, spokeswoman for the Western Cape Health Department, confirmed on Friday that the two women were injured by a dog.

“Both woman received treatment at New Somerset Hospital. One female has since been discharged, while the other is in a stable condition,” she said.

Richard Bosman, the city’s executive director of safety and security, said their Animal Control Unit officers had obtained affidavits from the victims for the docket to prosecute the owner.

“In a case where a dog attacks a person or another animal, the city’s Animal Control Unit will investigate the complaint. If there is prima facie proof, officers of the unit are within their rights to seize and impound the dog responsible. They would also initiate a docket containing all the evidential material required for the prosecution of the dog owner,” he said.

Dog owners can be prosecuted if they negligently fail to prevent their dog from attacking another person or animal; allow a dangerous, vicious dog in a public road or public place without being on a leash, humanely muzzled and under control; or allow a dog constituting a source of danger or injury to any person to be outside the premises where it is kept.

The dogs injured in the attack are recovering at the Kloof Veterinary Hospital in Green Point. Both sustained major injuries.

Veterinarian Cathy Wahl said the poodle had bruising all the way down the right side of its spine. There were also wounds on its back.

“We can’t do much until the swelling goes down. The Maltese will stay with us as the owner is in hospital,” she said.

The other dog, an elderly schnauzer, had a wound on its right front leg, and had suffered possible nerve damage. “I don’t think the nerve is severed, it’s bruised. He has bites around the neck. His whole leg is a mess. He is on pain killers.”

Weekend Argus