The recent escalation of dog attacks, especially in public places, has spurred Johannesburg resident Greg King to call for more public awareness campaigns around animal by-laws.

King, who was attacked by three dogs in a Fourways public park on August 21, is grateful that his granddaughter was not hurt or traumatised during the incident.

He took his three-year-old granddaughter to play at the park and, out of the blue, the dogs came running towards them, he says. His first instinct during the vicious attack was to make sure the dogs did not get to her. In addition to being injured, King says he has flashbacks and sleepless nights.

The attack

“I look after my granddaughter. I thought because it is getting warmer, it would be nice to go to the park where there is a playground with swings, roundabouts, and slides. I did not see what had happened to us coming at all,” says King.

He tried to fight the dogs off, but was surrounded. “I tried kicking the one that was in front of me and as I was busy with it, the ones behind me started to bite me on the back of my thigh. I turned around and then the one that was in the front came back and bit me on the front of my leg.”

The owner of the dogs came rushing to his rescue and showed remorse, volunteering to cover the medical bills.
King was taken to a medical facility in Pineslopes for treatment. “My wounds were cleaned and I was given some antibiotics and an injection.

“The bottom line here is that dogs in public parks must be on a leash. I have noticed that residents in Lonehill Park and Merrow Park often take their dogs off the leash and that is not safe. I got badly injured but, fortunately, my grandchild was unharmed.”

More awareness needed

King is now taking matters into his own hands because he fears the worst. He says more awareness campaigns about animal by-laws must be held for the benefit of the community.

“I am so grateful that the dogs did not maul my grandchild. You can imagine what they would have done to her fragile skin. So we have to get a campaign out there for dog owners to realise that according to the by-laws, their dogs have to be on a leash in public places. Otherwise, we will have more incidents like this.

“We have older citizens here who are 70 to 80… They often come to the park voluntarily to clean it up. So you can imagine what could happen if a similar incident occurs while they are busy with their work for a good cause. I appeal to dog owners who go into public spaces with their dogs to put them on a leash.”

Separate incidents

In July, Polokwane Review reported about several dog attacks in public places – firmly shining the light on these maulings, and the subsequent consequences for dogs.