Dog bites child, then escapes
SUMMIT VIEW ESTATE - A parent of a child from Summit View Estate is angry that a neighbour's dog bit his daughter.
Larry Nghonyama said his neighbours have been consistently irresponsible. He stated, “The couple has been warned countless times about leaving their gate open and now their dog has bitten my daughter.”
Nghonyama revealed that he has opened a case with Midrand police. He refused the neighbours’ offer to pay for medical bills. “I don’t want their money, all I wanted was for them to close their gate or tie up their dogs. They did not even bother to apologise for the incident, they just offered to pay for medical costs,” said Nghonyama.
He said he wants to sue his neighbours mainly because they have not bothered to apologise or show remorse.
The woman whose dog bit Nghonyama’s child said her family was not given a chance to take the child to a hospital. Speaking to Midrand Reporter, Margaret Mudau said, “I drove into my house and the dogs ran out of the gate. I sent my son after them, but it was too late. Security guards told me a child was bitten.”
Mudau explained that Nghonyama’s family refused to let her take the child to Life Carstenhof Clinic. “The family said they are waiting for the father to arrive home from work. All I wanted was to quickly get the child medical care.”
Mudau claims that she does not know what breed her dog is, but said her husband went to Midrand SPCA to try and hand over the dog. Midrand SPCA could not confirm if a similar case they had was the same one involving the Mudau and Nghonyama families, as the dog owner who came to them claimed to be from one of the surrounding townships.
Life Carstenhof Clinic spokesperson Karabo Motsoagae confirmed that Nghonyama’s daughter was brought in for treatment with several dog bites, but could not offer more information due to doctor patient confidentiality.
Midrand police spokesperson Constable Matome Tlamela said a case had been opened. “A case with regards to keeping vicious dogs has been opened and police are busy investigating. The suspect has not arrested yet and the docket will be taken to court for decision.”
If a member of your family was bitten by a neighbour’s dog, what would you do? Share your views in the comments below.
