South Africa: Former cop mauled to death by his own pit bull

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA -- A retired police officer was tragically mauled to death by his own pit bull at his home in Belmont Park, Kraaifontein, on Thursday night.

The dog turned on his owner, 50, as well as his wife, Ruth, who is in ICU at Karl Bremer Hospital. Neighbours say the couple were found lying in pools of their own blood.

Residents say Henry Kleynhans had just spoiled himself and his son to a new car and motorbike on the Tuesday before the incident. His new Harley Davidson was splattered with blood stains.

A trail of blood marked the path where the animal dragged his owner’s body around the house. Henry’s son, Chad, who was not home at the time of the attack, was too distraught to speak to the media.

The former captain was stationed at Kraaifontein SAPS and had retired in January last year.

Next-door neighbour, Eldridge Africa, 32, said he heard a commotion at the house and went to see what was happening. “I heard a weird noise coming from the house before 10pm; my girlfriend and I went to look what was going on.

“When we arrived at the gate, we saw Mufasa, the dog, dragging his owner and tried to fight him off ... but he wouldn’t let go. He’d just brought his new motorbike home that day and never got to ride it.

“He was a calm guy who always did everything for everyone. He always told us something about that dog wasn’t right.

“His wife was bitten on her arms, legs and stomach and was lying in the passage next to her house in a pool of blood.”

Doctors at Kraaifontein Day Hospital said Henry had lost too much blood and died.

The SPCA immediately collected the dog after the deadly attack. The society did not respond to media queries by Sunday night.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed the incident and said an inquest has been registered for investigation.

(IOL - February 12, 2018)

South Africa: Atteridgeville pit bull survivor on way to recovery

SOUTH AFRICA -- A pit bull attack survivor from Atteridgeville is on the road to recovery.

Karabo Nakedi (6) was mauled by two pit bulls in August last year.

After being released from the hospital in August, Karabo was hospitalised again on 14 December after one of his wounds got infected. He was released on Christmas day.

His mother, Pulane Nakedi, told Rekord on Wednesday that her son was doing well after the operation.

“Karabo’s wounds are healing, but we will find out how he is doing after his check-up next month,” she said.

Two other children – Tshepo Mashabane (11) and Amanda Kolweai (4) – were also attacked the same day. They spent a few days in the intensive care unit before being discharged.

Karabo was playing soccer in the street with his friends when the dogs – normally kept behind locked gates – got out.

The dogs ran down the street and attacked the children.

Nakedi said the owner of the two dogs had apologised but added that it was not good enough.

“I heard people screaming outside. When I rushed out I found one of the dogs with its jaws still locked onto my child,” Nakedi said.

“I quickly picked up the first thing I could get my hands on – a bottle – and hit the dog with it. Only then did the dog let go of him.”

Karabo had several surgeries after the attack.

“I am so afraid when I pick my son up, scared that I might hurt him,” Nakedi said.

At the time of the attack, SPCA investigator Christina Masemola said the two dogs were surrendered to them by the owners shortly after the attack.

She said the SPCA was, however, not aware of the attack when the dogs were surrendered.

“Not long after the dogs were brought to us, we received instructions from the state veterinarian to have them put down,” Masemola said.

“Only after we had followed the order, did we find out the two dogs had attacked the children.”

Chairperson of the pit bull federation of SA Jeanette Erasmus said pit bulls were usually very tolerant.

She added that when bred correctly, the breed was not aggressive towards humans, but backyard breeding was one of their biggest concerns.

She said a dog’s temperament was over 60 percent inherited; a dog was born with a set of genetics predetermined at the time of conception.

“Sadly, some breeders know nothing about genetics. They do not know their dogs’ lineages or they make them up as they go along.”

Pit bull terrier owners should also never take their dog for attack training.

“A dog should not be taught how to protect you – it should come naturally. Any breed wants to please its owner. Dogs seek your approval. By all means, take the dog for obedience training, but never attack training.”

She said pit bull terriers were “useless guard dogs”.

“Their lack of human aggression when bred, managed and worked correctly means that they are not wired to bite people,” she said.

But Jacqui Grove of the SPCA said that “any dog, no matter the breed, can and will attack if the circumstances give rise to it”.

Local veterinarian Dr Larry Kraitzick said the decision to bring a pit bull into a home should not be made lightly.

“The decision should not be based on a whim or a feeling of ‘how gorgeous … I want one’, as a status symbol or to show your masculinity,” he said.

(rekordmoot.co.za - January 25, 2018)

Earlier:

• South Africa: Boy still in critical condition three weeks after Pit Bull attack

South Africa: Elderly woman hospitalized after second pit bull attack in less than 10 days

SOUTH AFRICA -- Another pit bull attack has been reported on the South Coast, this time in Uvongo.

According to paramedic, Glen Preston from Med-Evac, a 65-year-old domestic worker was walking along Beaumont Avenue, Uvongo yesterday (Thursday)  when dogs ran out of a property and bit the woman several times.

“The woman suffered serious facial injuries, and was also bitten on her arm, leg and chest,” said Mr Preston.

He added that paramedics had also treated the dog owner’s son, who had suffered minor bites.

According to Werner Taljaard from the SPCA, the dog’s owners have asked that the animal be put down. The domestic worker was taken to hospital.

Margate SAPS will investigate.

Note: I'm using the tag "repairman" simply because I don't have one for "maid" but the victim in this story is described as a "domestic worker".

(South Coast Herald - January 14, 2018)

South Africa: Elderly man has "lost half his face; his eye, ear nose and mouth were all bitten off" by neighbor's Pit Bulls; his wife and daughter also attacked

SOUTH AFRICA -- An Albers-ville, Port Shepstone, father is in a critical condition and his wife and daughter are recovering from being mauled by three dogs in the driveway of their Pelican Drive home.

Appal Naidoo, 82, underwent reconstructive surgery and is in the trauma unit of the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital.

They were mauled two weeks ago after a neighbor’s two pit bull dogs and a boerboel mix attacked, having jumped over a fence to roam the street.

His daughter Shanda, 48, and wife Kanna, 79, heard him scream and ran out to help. They were also severely injured, with Shanda bitten 24 times. Both were discharged from hospital last Saturday.

Another daughter, Lalitha Sadasivah, said her father was a well-known florist in Port Shepstone.

“He normally starts his day early and was busy with his morning routine between 4am and 5am. He’s in the habit of cleaning the yard after waking up and was doing this when attacked,” said Sadasivah.

She said it was heart-breaking that her elderly parents and sister had to suffer such an experience.

“His face was disfigured because of the attack. He had to undergo several operations. He had a broken jaw, broken limbs and many other injuries. The right side of his nose was bitten off,” said a distraught Sadasivah.

She said her mother and sister had both been psychologically affected and the family was praying for a speedy recovery.

One of the dogs involved int he attack

She said her family had lived in the area for 40 years and had good relations with the community.

“Some people who had been on their way to work that morning stopped to help when my family was attacked. We would like to thank them for their assistance,” she said.

The family’s elderly dog tried to protect them during the attack, resulting in the dog having to be euthanased by the local SPCA.

She said the dogs were taken away by the local SPCA and she hoped all dog owners would learn from this.

“Dog owners need to be more responsible, especially when they have dogs like pit bulls. It could happen to anyone and as there is a school nearby something could have happened to children walking home.

“Given this ordeal, we urge dog owners to please be more responsible. We wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through what we did,” said Sadasivah.

Note: The original story said it was 2 Pit Bulls and a South African Boerboel mix. Now they're saying it was 2 Pit Bulls and a Dalmatian.

UPDATE:
The Albersville man who was mauled in a vicious attack by two Pit bulls and a Dalmatian on Wednesday is awaiting surgery.

A reliable source has indicated that Mr Appal Naidoo has “lost half his face; his eye, ear, nose and mouth were all bitten off” in the savage attack.

The doctors at Albert Luthuli have cleaned up his wounds and placed him on a ventilator. “They want his organs to rest before the surgery,” the source added. “The doctors are going to try to take skin from his leg to graft on his face. His arm was also badly damaged.”

Kanna is said to be out of surgery and is recovering. Shanda had to go back into surgery as her wounds were more severe than initially thought.

(Sunday Tribune - January 12, 2018)

South Africa: "My poor sweetie pie Nesca recovering from her injury after pit bull attack last night"

SOUTH AFRICA -- Portia Johnson posted on Facebook January 1, 2018 at 11:41am ·

My poor sweetie pie Nesca recovering from her injury after pit bull attack last night...

why people have dogs and can't bring them up properly upsets me to the core! Now the poor dogs get a bad reputation, when in fact it should be the owners who must be held accountable!

South Africa: Family speaks after pit bull attacks and kills their six-month-old baby

Gerard Edward, Ané’s partner of a year, said the dog had always been aggressive. Ané added the dog had never liked children.

SOUTH AFRICA -- “He was always smiling, had no problems, and was very loving.”

These are the words of Ané Stols, who spoke after the death of her six-month-old baby boy, Callum, on Wednesday morning in Fourth Avenue, Primrose, Johannesburg, Germiston City News reports.

Callum was attacked by a pit bull and died at his grandmother’s house just after 7am.

A shocked Ané said it had been an ordinary morning until she received a phone call that would change her life forever.

“I was called, and they said my baby was dead,” she said.

She had been dropped off at work, and Callum’s granny returned home with him.

“Apparently, she took him out of the car and started walking to the house, and the dog started attacking Callum in his car seat” said Ané.

Ané has two other children, Kiana (3) and Zian (5).

Gerard said he was heartbroken and didn’t know what to say about the tragic attack, as he treated the children as his own.

“I saw him for the last time this morning, and he was happy. Now our child is dead,” he said.

Gerard was waiting at home for the other children’s transport to collect them for school when he received the call informing him of Callum’s death.

“No it can’t be! The child was here with me just now,” Gerard responded when he heard the news.

The dog was taken away by the Germiston SPCA and the Primrose police has opened an inquest docket into the death for further investigation.

“Today our baby is gone,” said Gerard.

(The Citizen - November 1, 2017)

(September 2017) South Africa: Toddler receives 70 stitches after attack by Boerboel

SOUTH AFRICA -- A two-year-old toddler is being treated at Netcare Montana Hospital after she was attacked by a dog in Brits.

It is alleged the toddler, Charlaine Guarini, who will turn three on Friday, was attacked by a Boerboel on Monday, Rekord North reported.

The dog pushed Guarini to the ground and grabbed her by her face.

She was rushed to the provincial hospital in Brits, where after she was transported to hospital.

She received 70 stitches.

Guarini was treated at the hospital and had been released on Thursday.

Note: Neither of these Boerboels attacked the little girl, but

I'm posting so you get an idea how giant these dogs are.

(Citizen.co.za - Sept 15, 2017)

South Africa: Dog bites off chunk of woman's face

SOUTH AFRICA -- An angry man in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, South Africa, set
his dog on a tavern owner after an argument over change.

Hoping to teach the tavern owner a lesson, the patron went home to fetch his vicious dog but the tavern owner saw the dog charging and locked himself inside his house.

The animal then attacked a woman who was just passing by, biting off a chunk of her face.

Mbali Zulu (23) is now in hospital where doctors are trying to repair the damage to her face while cops wait for her to be released to open a case against the dog owner.

Speaking from her hospital bed Mbali said she had been coming from a friend's house on Saturday when the dog attacked her.

"I felt the dog jumping on me and then I fought with it," said Mbali.

She said people ran to their houses to hide – they were too scared to try and help her.

"I screamed but the owner of the dog didn't come out to the street."

Mbali said her boyfriend is worried about how she will look when she's discharged from hospital.

SPCA spokeswoman Chris Kuch said anyone who was attacked, or the parent of a child who was bitten, may lay a charge and try to recover their medical expenses in court.

She said the SPCA had since removed the dog. A Vosloorus police spokesman said Mbali could open a case once she was fit to do so.

(DailySun - Sept 22, 2017)

South Africa: Boy still in critical condition three weeks after Pit Bull attack

SOUTH AFRICA -- One of the boys attacked by pit bulls in Atteridgeville three weeks ago remains in critical condition in hospital.

The other two victims are recovering at home, their parents have said.

Christina Masemola of the SPCA said inspectors visited the owners.

The dogs had reportedly been put down. However, the Pretoria News was unable to independently confirm this, as the owners declined to comment, saying they were not ready to speak to the media.

The parents of Karabo Nakedi, 6, said they were anxiously awaiting the return of their little boy from Kalafong Hospital. Karabo is reportedly struggling to recover from the attack.

The other two - Tshepo Mashabane, 11, and Amanda Kolweai, 4 - spent a few days in ICU at the same hospital and were discharged a few days later. Their wounds are believed to be healing satisfactorily.

Karabo’s mother Portia Nakedi said her son had undergone surgery several times, and doctors were worried as his wounds were still bleeding. Nakedi said: “The bite marks are very deep. The doctors said they were worried he might have fluid in his kidneys or a problem with his ribs. He has undergone four surgeries and it’s painful for us to see him in so much pain.”

It was difficult for her to keep her composure while her first-born child was in ICU, she said. But the family were thankful that Karabo was responding to communication from both doctors and his parents, despite his road to recovery being difficult and slow.

His father, Andrew Letho, said he was deeply worried that his son would later need to see a psychologist to deal with the trauma the boys went through. The scars ran deeper than could be dealt with medically, he said.

Letho also said that what pained them was watching how doctors had to constantly clean him up to prevent the wounds from getting infected and causing further complications.

In addition to worrying about the recovery of their boy, the parents said they were stressed about the social and legal implications of the incident.

The parents of the three boys claimed the children were playing in the street as they normally did when the dogs - normally kept behind locked gates - got out.

According to reports from all parents and others along the streets, the dogs had escaped from their yard when the gate was left open briefly.

They alleged that the dogs ran down the street and attacked the children who were playing in the street.

Letho claimed they were inside their house and Karabo was playing soccer in the street with other children.

Nakedi added: “I heard people screaming outside. When I rushed out I found one of the dogs with its jaws still locked in my only child. I quickly picked up a bottle and hit it; only then did the dog let him go.”

The owners apologised to them, the parents said, but Karabo’s parents said they were still too hurt by the incident. A case had been opened with the police.

Tshepo’s mother, Eliza Mashabane, said even though the family were trying to move on, they were hurt that no one seemed to care about what had happened to their children.

She said they had received no feedback from the police on the case.

“It’s hurtful to see your child hurt so badly and struggle without any assistance from anyone,” she said.

Joyce Kolweai said all her daughter Amanda wanted was to buy potato chips from the local spaza shop when she was bitten by the dogs.

She was hoping Karabo would fully recover soon so the families could focus on finding a way forward on the case.

“The only thing we can do as parents is to help our children deal with the aftermath. Every time she hears a dog bark, she runs back into the house now.”

The police had not responded on a request for an update regarding the case by late on Sunday.

(iol.co.za - August 28, 2017)

South Africa: A domestic worker believes she is lucky to be alive after she was mauled by her employer's two pit bulls

SOUTH AFRICA -- A domestic worker believes she is lucky to be alive after she was mauled by her employer's two pit bulls in Monte Vista.

Khayelitsha resident Lilian Mkosi, 57, suffered head, legs and hand injuries during the attack.

She can't walk as a result of severe pain.

Following the incident, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA chief executive officer Allan Perrins said the pit bulls have since been “put to sleep permanently”.

“At the end of the day it remains a mystery why they attacked Lilian. It is hard to believe that they could inflict such bad injuries. She (Lilian) says there was no provocation on her part.”

The dogs had been at Mkosi’s employer's home for a week before they attacked her.

Speaking to the Cape Times, Mkosi said she had informed her employer Brent Chad that she was scared of the dogs and requested that they be put on a leash.

“He would not listen and insisted that I familiarize myself with them. ”

On July 29, the dogs grabbed her by the legs and forced her to the ground.

Chad was out playing golf, said Mkosi.

“The dogs went straight for the head and were after my neck, but I put my face on the ground.

“I screamed so loudly until a neighbor came and tried to pour water on them, but they would not let go of me. The neighbor shot several shots in the air, but still they would not let go.”

Later paramedics, police and private security guards were at the scene “but no one came closer until the neighbor threw raw meat on the floor in an attempt to divert their attention”.

Mkosi spent six days in Groote Schuur Hospital before she was discharged.

Mkosi said it was not enough that Chad had promised to pay for her medical bills, but he was not taking action as she struggled to put food on the table since the attack.

Chad said he was sorry for what happened and he would compensate “much more than that (R160 a day)”.

“What happened to her is very terrible.”

(iol.co.za - August 15. 2017)

South Africa: Pit bull jumps into fenced yard, grabs another dog, drags him over the wall by the neck and into the street where it proceeds to kill it

SOUTH AFRICA -- A male pit bull brutally mauled and killed another dog after attacking the dog on Thursday (August 17).

Residents from the area say the pit bull got out of its cage and escaped from the yard.

The dog made its way from Balsam Avenue into Calendula Avenue through an alley between the streets.

The noise of barking dogs was heard in the area, with the pit bull jumping over a wall and getting into a yard, where it grabbed a another dog by the neck.

The mixed breed dog was dragged back over the wall and into the street, where residents say the dog was dragged a further 4 houses away by the pit bull.

During this time, residents say the pit bull continued to attack the smaller dog, dragging him around.

Residents came out of their homes upon hearing the commotion.

They all tried to separate the dogs, but in vain, as the pit bull would not let go. The pit bull’s owner was also in the street trying to separate the dogs.

The dogs eventually separated, with the crossbreed sustaining numerous puncture wounds and bite marks to the neck.

The crossbreed dog was taken to the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) by Councillor Abbas Warasally, but nothing could be done, as no vets were open at the time.

Annamarie Koen of the AACL told the dog’s owners to take it to the vet early on Friday morning. They did this, and the dog received medical attention and medication, with the vet telling the owners to bring the dog back on Monday for a check-up.

However, the dog didn’t make it and was found dead in its yard yesterday (August 19) by the owner, who is devastated by the loss of her beloved dog, Toby, who was 7 years old.

Many people in the community want the pit bull to be removed from the area, as they say it could easily attack and kill a child. They fear for their own safety.

(Ladysmith Gazette - August 20, 2017)

South Africa: After woman's Pit Bull mauls her nine-year-old sister to death, she says she doesn't blame the dog

SOUTH AFRICA -- "I love you so much. You'll always be my hero."

These were the last words Kayla Madden spoke to her sister before she succumbed to injuries from a dog attack inside her Hillcrest home on Saturday.

Gemma, 9, died after being attacked by a pit bull at Kayla's home just hours before she was due to celebrate her 10th birthday.

The pit bull, named Nero, was euthanized by the SPCA.

Gemma, a grade 4 pupil at a school in Kloof, was dropped off at Kayla's home in Hillcrest. Their parents went out for the evening together with Kayla's boyfriend Thomas van der Spuy.

Kayla, 21, told the Daily News Gemma had been playing with the dog since she arrived at 3pm.

Kayla was baking muffins in the kitchen for Gemma's birthday. The child walked into the next room and screamed about a minute later.

"I am too devastated to explain the last moments of what happened. It's all a blur and traumatizing. The dog has been living with us for a while. I am not sure what triggered the dog to attack her. We had so much planned for her. We shared to many memories together," Kayla said before she broke down in tears and handed the phone to van der Spuy.

OWNER SAYS NO ONE COULD HAVE PREDICTED HER PIT BULL WOULD KILL HER BABY SISTER

"We are upset at what has been posted on social media. People don't know the facts. They have crushed my fiancee emotionally by blaming her for the incident.

"I had Nero since he was a pup. He was five years old and loved kids. He lived inside the house with us. He was part of the family. I had left him to protect the girls. No one knows what set him off. They had been playing together all afternoon," van der Spuy said. 

He broke down when he told the Daily News that Nero had to be euthanised at the Kloof and Highway SPCA on Monday. Van der Spuy said he could not look at the dog again and was told he could not trust it.

"We are not careless people. No one could have predicted what  happened. It could have been any breed of dog. Nero was never vicious. We do not blame Nero or anyone for this; animals can be unpredictable. And it was a terrible, tragic accident," he said. 

The pit bull had grabbed Gemma and locked its jaw around her neck. Kayla tried getting Nero off and her screams for help alerted neighbours who rushed over.

Nero then apparently left the house and sat in the back yard. Van der Spuy said the pictures of a pit bull, white in colour, with blood around its mouth, that had been accompanying social media posts was not of Nero.

Gemma died at the scene. The family was making funeral arrangements for Friday.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said an inquest docket was opened at Hillcrest police station.

(IOL - August 2, 2017)

South Africa: Man delivering newspapers is mauled to death by two Pit Bulls he knew and had "played with"

SOUTH AFRICA -- A 57-year-old Cape Flats man has been killed in a savage attack by two pit bulls.

Ironically, the victim was delivering newspapers, which had a front page story about a pit bull attack in another neighbourhood last week.

 

 

Police and the Cape of Good Hope SPCA were called to Uintjie Street in Kalksteenfontein just after 11am yesterday where they found the bloody body of the man.

Chunks of flesh of the man’s neck and arm were ripped off, and one of his ears were missing.

Neighbours say the man, only identified as Willie from Bonteheuwel, had been delivering the Athlone News when the dogs attacked him.

The paper’s headline was “Dog attack family still in hospital”, about three-year old Emma Murphy and her grandfather Aubrey Murphy, 56, who were attacked by their neighbour’s dogs in Athlone last Tuesday.

Yesterday, Andy Wareley, the owner of the pit bulls in Uintjie Street, told the Daily Voice his family has had the dogs, Patches and Buster, for three years and is devastated by the man’s death.

Andy says he was not at home but his wife, who was ill in bed with flu, and his 10-year-old daughter were.

His daughter was busy cleaning and had placed the dogs in the front yard.

PIT BULL OWNER BLAMES VICTIM

He claims his daughter had warned Willie not to enter the yard, but he insisted.

“My dogs are normally at the back, but when there is cleaning being done, they are placed in front,” explains Andy.

“The man was at the gate and my daughter told him to please not come inside.

   

“He had said he knows the dogs and came inside and played with Patches.

“I think the dogs heard my daughter telling him to leave and must have become protective, or the other dog might have become jealous.

“When my wife came outside, she saw the dogs were already on top of the man.

“He ran out and fell outside of the property.

“My dogs have been taken by the SPCA and I am very sad to lose the dogs.”

Notice no words of apology for the dead man lying in the street, who'd had chunks of flesh and body parts ripped off while being mauled to death by their two Pit Bulls.

Willie’s family was at the scene, but didn’t want to comment.

A neighbour, who only identified himself as Wally, says he arrived on the scene shortly after the attack and helped put Patches back in the yard.

“They say the man opened the gate and walked inside and the dogs pulled him into the yard. I picked up the one dog, the big white one, Patches, and I took him back home.”

Belinda Abraham, of the SPCA, says the inspector was called to the scene.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut confirms the incident and says an inquest docket has been opened for further investigation.

(Daily Voice - June 30, 2017)

South Africa: Fundraiser created for little girl after "part of her skull was ripped off" by a Pit Bull and a Rottweiler

SOUTH AFRICA -- More than $5,000 has already been raised for a girl and her grandfather who were mauled by a pit bull and a Rottweiler.

The crowdfunding effort, called “Sunshine & Superhero Fund for Emma”, was created on the website www.backabuddy.co.za.

A target of R250 000 has been set to assist Emma Murphy, three, and oupa (grandfather) Aubrey Murphy, 56, who were attacked at their Athlone home after the dogs jumped over a two metre-high fence (~ six feet tall). It has since been revealed the dogs could also have entered their yard through a gap in the fence.

Mense have so far donated R67 825.38 (about $5,200 US).

Emma is at Red Cross Children’s Hospital after part of her skull was ripped off and she has had to undergo surgery.

Aubrey is at Vincent Pallotti Hospital and is said to be recovering well after sustaining injuries to his head and arm.

The incident happened last Tuesday while Aubrey and the twins, Emma and Kate, were at their home in Garlandale Crescent, Athlone.

Aubrey had heard a commotion in the yard and went to investigate and it is believed Emma followed while Kate stood at the back door when the dogs attacked.

The dogs and two others have since been removed by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.

The crowdfund was started by Paula Pinkham, who explained that all funds raised would go towards medical costs.

Emma’s other grandfather, Cliff Augustyn, confirmed the family was aware of the fundraiser.

Sunshine & Superhero Fund for Emma

Little fighter, Emma Murphy and her incredibly courageous grandfather, Aubrey, were mauled by dogs in a freak and savage incident at their home last week. With severe injuries to her little body and a very long road to full recovery, we are embarking on this campaign to ease some of the financial pressure off Emma`s dedicated yet distraught parents.

Emma is a twin and sadly Kate witnessed the whole attack. Whilst not physically injured, Kate is as traumatised by the event as the rest of the family and is missing her sister terribly.

The funds raised will also assist in getting the correct trauma counselling and play therapy for Kate.

Emma is strong, Emma is funny, Emma is brave and Emma will see her scars diminish with the help of her awesome medical team and specialists, with the unconditional love and support she has received so far and with the help of the good hearted public.

(Daily Voice - June 30, 2017)

Earlier:

• South Africa: Man and his granddaughter, 3, in serious condition after being mauled by Pit Bull and Rottweiler

South Africa: Man and his granddaughter, 3, in serious condition after being mauled by Pit Bull and Rottweiler

SOUTH AFRICA -- Relatives of an Athlone man and his three-year-old granddaughter, who survived being mauled by dogs, say they are in a stable condition in hospital.

The two dogs mauled Aubrey (56) and little Emma Murphy (3) at the family's home on Tuesday.

Aubrey was at home with his three-year-old twin granddaughters.

It's believed he heard a noise coming from his backyard and went outside to inspect.

The girl's maternal grandfather Cliff Augustyne explains what happened next.

“Emma ran ahead of him. I believe the two dogs attacked Emma first and then her grandfather covered Emma with his body. That’s when the dogs attacked him.”

This little girl is beautiful. I could see her (and her twin sister!) 
working as a child model for The Gap, Benetton, etc.

The three-year-old girl was rushed to hospital (a newer article says part of Emma's skull/scalp was ripped off). Paramedics attended to her grandfather on the scene, and he was later transported to a medical facility.

Augustyne says three-year-old and her paternal grandfather have undergone surgery.

“The damage to her skull is extreme and fortunately there is no damage to her eyes. The grandfather is also stable after surgery.”

One of the Rottweilers that attacked Emma

(Eyewitness News ZA - June 21, 2017)

South Africa; Woman attacked by two Rottweilers. The dogs' owner and another neighbor also attacked while trying to save her.

SOUTH AFRICA -- Elizabeth Mahlangu, a domestic worker, was walking home on Tuesday afternoon when she was viciously attacked by two Rottweilers who got out of their yard in Garsfontein, Pretoria.

Mahlangu, 42, was attacked by the two dogs after they escaped from an open gate. It is understood that the owner of the dogs had just arrived home and opened the gate when the dogs fled.

Gareth Pahl the medical head for the Hi-Risk Unit attended the scene shortly after the dogs attacked Mahlangu.

He said the dog owner and a neighbor were also bitten during the dog attack as they tried to stop the dogs from attacking Mahlangu.

"While the dogs were attacking the helpless domestic worker, a neighbor as well as the dog owner tried to stop the attack," said Pahl.

He added that eventually they managed to get the dogs off Mahlangu by spraying water on the brutal dogs.

"Eventually the dogs stopped and ran back inside the yard."

Mahlangu sustained serious injuries to her arms and legs. Pahl said the dog bites were very deep, leaving nasty gashes.

The neighbor was bitten on his right inner thigh while the dog owner lost a segment of her right pinky finger.

Mahlangu was transported by the Hi-Risk Ambulance to Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

News24 contacted Mahlangu on Wednesday morning, she said she was in an insurmountable amount of pain and that they were about to take her into theatre to operate.

(News24 - June 21, 2017)

South Africa: Little dog named Petal attacked by neighbor's Pit Bull

SOUTH AFRICA -- Cape Town Lost and Found Pets Facebook June 10, 2017 ·

BACK HOME!!
Jean Thysse Update from the family: Thanks so much to the community of Pinelands. We are truly blessed to have the support of such a great community!!

Petal has been bitten, but she will survive. Dr Mac gave her antibiotics and painkillers, and she will have the wounds cleaned and stitched tomorrow.

Jean has been absolutely stunning in keeping everybody updated, and to all the wonderful people who have really gone out of their way to assist., thank you all very very much.

South Africa: Man attacked by his own pit bull

SOUTH AFRICA -- A pet owner in his 20s was attacked by his pit bull at his residence on Moss Road in the Bluff on Friday morning.

Rescue Care Operations Manager and Advanced Life Support Paramedic, Ceron Lennox, said, “Rescue Care Paramedics responded to the call just after 8am on Friday morning to find a man had been attacked by his pit bull allegedly whilst trying to break up a fight between the pit bull and a puppy.

"The man had sustained moderate injuries to multiple parts of his body and was stabilized on scene by Advanced Life Support Paramedics before being transported to a nearby hospital for the further care that he required.”

(Tabloid Media - June 2, 2017)

South Africa: Two pit bulls attacked and severely injured a man while he was jogging on the beach

SOUTH AFRICA -- Two pit bulls attacked and severely injured a man on Monday morning while he was jogging on the beach at Tinley Manor on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

Janus van Schalkwyk‚ a paramedic with IPSS Medical Rescue ALS, said the victim, 30, sustained extensive injuries to his face and  both arms and legs.

Van Schalkwyk confirmed that the dogs belonged to a resident who lived in the area.

“The victim tried to fight off the dogs and when the owner saw what was happening, he rushed to the man’s aid,” van Schalkwyk, said.

Unfortunately “the jogger suffered significant soft-tissue damage to his biceps and his left leg”.

The pit bulls have not yet been removed from their owner.

He was taken by ambulance to hospital where he is “in very bad condition”, according to his sister.

He is currently in a stable condition.

(SA Breaking news - April 24, 2017)

South Africa: Ten-year-old boy mauled to death by neighbor's Pit Bull

SOUTH AFRICA -- The first time the ball went over the fence, 10-year-old Nkanyiso fetched it without a problem.

But when the boy went to fetch the ball for a second time, it cost him his life.

Nkanyiso Wessel (10) and his friends were playing soccer in the yard at their house in KwaThema, Ekurhuleni last Wednesday.

When he went to fetch the ball again, his neighbor’s pit bull was waiting for him.

The dog grabbed him and mauled him on his thighs and legs.

Neighbors threw rocks and sticks at the dog and eventually it let go of the boy.

He was rushed to hospital but he died two days later.

The SPCA was called and the dog was put down.

Angry residents turned on the owner of the dog, a tenant in the neighbor’s yard, but the man jumped the fence and ran away.

“Nkanyiso thought there was no dog as he was not harmed the first time,” said his aunt, Cookie Wessel.

His distraught mother, Mbali Wessel, told Daily Sun her son loved soccer.

“He loved going to the stadiums to watch the soccer live and to see his favorites stars playing.”

An inquest docket has been opened at KwaThema Police Station.

Christine Kuch, spokeswoman for the NSPCA, said anyone who has been attacked, or who is the parent of a child who has been attacked, may lay charges and claim for medical expenses.

(Daily Sun - April 13, 2017)