An unleashed dog killed a Yorkshire terrier and injured a woman on Sunday afternoon on the Silverglade greenbelt.
Also read: SA Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind takes e-hailing service to court
A nine-month-old Yorkie named Jez was attacked during a walk around 3:30pm when a Staffordshire terrier approached them.
‘I’ve known dogs my entire life, and I knew it was out to kill. It was approaching us very fast and not in a friendly manner,’ Jemma Howse told False Bay Echo. Jez belonged to her daughter, Catherine.
She said the Staffie knocked her off her feet and grabbed the Yorkie.
‘I shouted no, no, and help, help, and the owner of the Staffie rushed over to try to get the dog to let go of Jez, but her little body was already limp.’
Catherine said she would never walk her dogs on the greenbelt again, as there were frequent reports of similar incidents involving unleashed dogs on community WhatsApp groups.
She added that the Staffie’s owner apologised and promised to get the dog behavioural treatment and pay for her mother’s medical treatment. The owner also reportedly offered to buy Catherine a new dog.
However, Catherine declined the offer and stated that she would not take legal action. ‘It was a very traumatic experience for all of us.’
Andre Blom, the chairman of the Fish Hoek community Police Forum, says although the Silverglade greenbelts are popular among dog walkers, two pets had been killed and one was badly injured by unleashed dogs over the past year. In one case, owners of the pet that was attacked had to get medical treatment for injuries.
He added that while unleashed dogs sometimes jump up on strangers in a friendly way, adults had been flung to the ground and injured in two cases.
Wayne Dyason, the City’s spokesperson for law enforcement, says most municipal recreation spots have signs to indicate whether dogs are allowed and whether they might be unleashed.
Violating these laws can rack fines up to R500 and result in animal impoundment. ‘In extreme cases, the animal can even be euthanised if it is in the interest of public safety,’ he adds.
According to Blom, dogs have to be leashed on The Glade and other greenbelts in the Silverglade, adding that dog owners who don’t clean up after animals is becoming a problem.
‘People even stand and watch their dog defecate in the middle of the walkway and walk away as if that is acceptable.’
Also read:
Picture: Shannon Richards / Unsplash