A Terenure woman is being investigated by Norkem police after her dog allegedly attacked and injured an ice-cream vendor.
Moses Ramoshaba (38), who has been selling ice-cream in the area since 1999, was bitten by the woman’s dog while selling ice-cream on Bloekomdraai Street in Terenure West on March 6.
As a result of his injuries Ramoshaba, who lives in Kaalfontein, was unable to work for two weeks, meaning he was not able to earn an income.
“In all my years of selling ice-cream around Kempton, I have never been bitten by dogs. This was the first time ever,” Ramoshaba said.
Const Tereza Xitshembiso Makhubele, a Kempton SAPS officer and Terenure resident, was so deeply touched by the story that she contacted EXPRESS about it.
Ramoshaba informed her about the incident a week after it occurred, as they know each other because he also sells around Terenure.
“What happened to him is really not fair and is very cruel. The poor man wakes up every day and rides his bicycle all the way from Kaalfontein to make a living for himself,” Makhubele said with disapproval.
Makhubele retold the story of how the attack unfolded.
“According to Ntate Moshe, the owner of the dog stopped him and said she wanted to buy some ice-cream,” she said.
Ramoshaba confirmed the incident to EXPRESS, explaining that the woman (the owner of the dog) then went back inside the house to get some money, leaving her gate open.
“I asked her not to leave the gate open because I was afraid that the dog would come out and bite me,” Ramoshaba said.
According to him, the woman insisted it would not bite and left the gate open. But the dog did come out and pounced on him, he said.
“I tried to fight the dog off but it pushed me and I fell to the ground,” Ramoshaba explained.
Neighbours and passers-by jumped in to help him but the dog owner, Makhubele said, just walked back into the house.
Moshe was bitten on both his legs and was taken to Tembisa Hospital for treatment.
“He couldn’t work for two weeks after that and couldn’t even go and open a case,” Makhubele said.
When he was better, Makhubele was able to accompany him to Norkem Police Station where a case of keeping a vicious dog was opened.
Ramoshaba is better now but is still going for check-ups and getting injections.
After the incident, the woman gave Ramoshaba her number and said he should call her if he needed help.
“I called her the day after the incident and she said she would give me R100. I told her that was not enough for hospital bills and transport. I didn’t have money because I could not sell ice-cream.”
Ramoshaba tried going to her house but she was not there, even after he called and confirmed with her he was on his way.
EXPRESS attempted to call the dog owner various times but her number went straight to voicemail.
Norkem SAPS spokesperson, Capt Lesibana Molokomme, confirmed that the case was under investigation. He also said the owner of the dog was visited at her residential address several times but was not at home so the police couldn’t get a statement from her.
“The docket will now be taken to the Senior Prosecutor at Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court to decide on the matter,” Molokomme added.
