Retired principal dies after her dogs attack her in Limpopo

A retired principal of Leolo Technical High School, Virginia Gupta (78), died on Monday after she was attacked by her dogs three days earlier.

Her four dogs attacked her on Friday at the Leolo Technical High School employees’ residence in Praktiseer, Limpopo.

Limpopo SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says the Tubatse SAPS are investigating an inquest case.

“The former educator was attacked by her four dogs while trying to rescue one of her visitors. The dogs were apparently intending to attack the visitor when this unfortunate incident took place on Friday.”

Malesela adds: “According to information, on the day, the woman was at her home with her daughter when they had a visitor and the dogs tried to attack him. In the process, Gupta interjected, trying to protect the man, but her dogs turned to her and bit her. Her daughter came to her rescue and the dogs turned away.”

She sustained injuries to her lower body.

Malesela says she was, however, not taken for medical treatment, and that her family only decided to take her to Dilokong Hospital on Monday.

Later that day she succumbed to her injuries.

Malesela says the SAPS were notified about the incident and opened a case of inquest for further investigation.

It was not the first time these dogs attacked a human being. Mpumalanga News discovered that the dogs attacked and injured a middle-aged man in November 2023.

Police investigations are continuing.