Pumba, a 12-year-old German shepherd-cross, is recovering at the Anti-Animal Cruelty League Johannesburg (AACL) after two dogs attacked him.
According to Nomsa Cedras, Pumba’s owner, the dogs who attacked Pumba were roaming the streets before the attack. When Nomsa approached the owner of the two dogs who attacked Pumba, the owner asked why her gate was open.
“I asked the owner, who is allegedly an EMPD officer, why was his gate open and his dogs walking in the street. He just said because it is his gate,” said Nomsa.
The day of the attack
The incident happened in the afternoon on November 11 in Strydpoort Street in Albertsdal.
“My daughter, Wandile, did not know the dogs were roaming the streets when she opened our front gate for the maintenance guys, who had just finished, to leave. When she opened the gate, the two dogs entered our yard and attacked Pumba,” said Nomsa.
According to her, the employees from the maintenance company stopped and got out of their vehicle to help Pumba.
“After a few minutes, they got the two dogs to leave Pumba and our property.”
Injuries
Pumba’s neck was covered in a lot of blood, and he had many lacerations on his neck and face.
“We immediately took him to AACL in Rossetenville, where he is now recovering. He also had to undergo an operation on his neck due to his injuries.”
Nomsa told the RECORD it is heartbreaking to see a pet like that.
So far Nomsa had to pay R1 500 for Pumba’s medical bill and there might be more costs due to his hospital stay.
Confrontation
Nomsa is very unhappy about the way the owner of the dogs, who lives six houses from her house, handled the situation.
“My dog was safe in my yard and his dogs entered my dog’s safety den and attacked him. He did not even apologise and was so arrogant.”
Nomsa told the alleged EMPD officer she is going to open a SAPS case and he said she must go ahead and open one.
“As a man of law enforcement, his behaviour towards the whole situation showed a total disregard of safety towards his neighbours. What if his dogs had attacked a child riding a bike or walking in the street? As members of society, we expect the law enforcers to protect us and not behave the opposite way by abusing their power.”
Nomsa also said the alleged officer was a friend of her husband, who had died, and that she never expected this from him.
“As an officer of the law, you are supposed to be protecting the community and handling a situation like this differently.”
• The RECORD visited the alleged officer’s home but nobody was there to answer questions. His details were then given through to EMPD with a request for comment from EMPD. This will be published as soon as received.
NOT FOR SENSITIVE VIEWERS – Graphic photographs
