The boy’s father, who hit the dog with a steel pipe, was attacked by its owner
SOUTH AFRICA -- THE owner of an aggressive boerboel attacked the father of a two-year-old toddler, who was viciously bitten by the animal, for hitting the canine with a steel pipe.
The incident occurred at a Rhodesfield property on the afternoon on February 11.
According to Mr Christian van Loggerenberg, an uncle of the boy, his nephew Rayden was attacked while playing in the yard.
The dog is said to have a history of aggression as it had bitten four other children, including the brother of the two-year-old toddler.
"The child was playing outside while his mother Esther was in the house. My brother, Martin, was talking to his father in law and negotiating to pay rent when the incident happened.
"Esther heard a scream and when she went out, the dog had Rayden's face in its fore legs.
"She ran to call Martin. He immediately came out and started beating the dog with a pipe on the back. He continued hitting the dog because he was angry.
That was when he was allegedly assaulted by his fiance's grandfather," said Van Loggerenberg.
A family fracas ensued as Martin's fiance's grandfather assaulted him for beating the boerboel.
Martin's brother-in-law entered the fray and hit his grandfather in a bid to defend his brother-in-law.
"My brother's father-in-law dragged Martin away and told him to take Rayden to the hospital. But as my brother got into the car with his son and the child's mother, a family friend of the grandfather jumped into the car, put his hand on Rayden's face and smashed the wind screen of the car," said Van Loggerenberg.
The man apparently ran away from the scene.
According to Van Loggerenberg, the child was rushed to a private doctor who referred the family to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital.
The toddler was later admitted to Charlotte Maxeke where he spent four days and underwent facial surgery on February 13. He was discharged last week Tuesday and is recovering well.
Van Loggerenberg said Martin had been told to leave the Gladiator Street property.
He said he feared for the safety of five children who remained at the house. "It seems they care more for the dog than Rayden. Even I don't go into the yard when I visit because those dogs look vicious."
However, Mr Ametie Trollius, owner of the property, refuted the allegations made by the Van Loggerenbergs and his granddaughter. He said the child rode into the dog with his bicycle and in retaliation the dog attacked.
Trollius said on the day a gate was left open which led into the yard where the dogs stay.
"I have told the parents of the children many times they should keep their children away from where the dogs are kept. It is the parents' responsibility to look after their children. The dog only attacks when it is hurt.
"I grabbed him (Martin) to stop him from hitting the dog because it would have bitten him as well and I wanted to protect the dog," said Trollius.
He added that although the dog remained on the property, it had been placed in an enclosed area where no one could gain access to it.
He said the dog would be taken away to a farm soon.
(Kempton Express - Feb 22, 2012)
