Resident still recovering after dog attack
Howden is still in shock after being attacked by a group of dogs.
On 29 April, Tom Howden, 77, took his dogs, Sarah and Sam for a walk in their neighbourhood.
Their usual route is just in the cul-de-sac they live in, then they would return home, however this particular day it was not quite the usual walk. Upon reaching the turning point at the end of the road they were attacked by several dogs.
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As soon as the attack started Sam took off for their house. Sarah, on the other hand, was grabbed, some of the dogs were swarming around Howden’s feet and he tripped over them, he fell on his rear and hit his head on the ground, he said he could feel the dogs tugging at his legs and he also felt something on his back. He tried to kick the dogs off, however to no avail, he then grabbed a brick lying on the side of the road, however, nothing seemed to scare the dogs off. Despite everything happening so fast he said he was sure as he was lying on the ground he saw the dogs trying to drag Sara towards their yard.
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Luckily a neighbour saw what was happening and honked the horn of his car and the dogs ran away, as soon as the dogs let go of Sarah, she also ran home. The neighbour let Howden get into his car and took him home, where they found both Sam and Sarah. Sarah sustained numerous bite marks on the back of her legs, her ears, and around her neck and she has a hole in her stomach.
Howden stated he thought it was five dogs that attacked them, however, the neighbour said it was six.
Howden was taken to casualties at a nearby hospital where he was cleaned up and examined, while they struggled to find an Emergency Veterinary Clinic for Sara as it was the long weekend. Upon finally locating one, Sarah was treated for her wounds and had to stay at the veterinary hospital for four days.
Howden states he is still in shock about the event and is still finding sores all over. Sarah, a calm and friendly cross-breed, is still being treated for her wounds, which have to be dressed every day, she is on pain medicine, anti-inflammatories and antibiotics.
According to Howden, the residents whose dogs attacked him and Sarah weren’t home and the gate was open, however, he said they claimed they had closed the gate after leaving.
The Record contacted the resident who owns the dogs, however, no comment was given.
Howden concluded they only need some time to heal, both physically and mentally.
