South Africa: Owner defends his pit bulls after neighbor mauled

SOUTH AFRICA -- The owner of the two pit bull terriers implicated in a vicious dog attack during which a woman was mauled while waiting to catch a taxi, on Wednesday described them as being like his own children.

Anne Tembu sustained 15 bite wounds during the attack in Dutch Reformed Street in Greenpoint, Kimberley, at about 5.30am on Monday morning.

The owner of the dogs was, however, unable to confirm or deny the attack, as he indicated that he was asleep at the time of the incident.

“When I woke up on Monday, the gates were locked and the dogs were inside the premises, so I do not know if they wandered outside the yard. The dogs usually sleep in their kennel or in our room if it is cold outside. I let them in on Monday as it was drizzling.”

He explained that the 18-month-old male and 10-month-old female were pets and were not used in dog fighting.

“The worst they do is bark at other dogs. They have never shown aggression or bitten anyone to my knowledge. I was shocked at the accusations because my dogs are docile.”

He added that it was unfair to take legal action against him.

“I do not even know what happened because we did not witness the incident. Maybe the Tembu couple were emotional and said things that they never meant to satisfy their anger. Only he will know what motivated him to say those things. We are neighbours and things could have been sorted out without going to the media.

“There is no reason to put my dogs down. The Tembus do not have a dog and I deny the allegation that my dogs killed their dog.”

He indicated that he had last taken his dogs outside the premises in 2015, for their vaccinations.

“I was injured in an accident and have not been able to get out of the house much. The dogs are usually always inside the yard.”

Meanwhile, James Tembu indicated that he was willing to drop legal action against the owner if the dogs were removed from the neighbourhood. He added that his wife would probably bear the scars of the attack for the rest of her life.

“The doctors want to do a skin graft on her arm because of the severity of her wounds. I do not want my wife to work anymore after what happened.”

He said that he was in the process of drawing up a petition to support his cause.

“I encourage the community to think about the safety of their children and put their signatures on the petition. The petition will be used in court to motivate that the dogs be removed.”

Tembu stated that after his bulldog-cross was bitten to death, allegedly by his neighbour’s dogs in 2012, he never replaced him.

“My dog was never aggressive and obeyed me at all times. It was painful to lose him.”

(IOL - May 12, 2016)