Vicious dog attack on woman
Mabokang Ralitsepe (44) was on her way to work when she was attacked by two pit bulls.
SHARPEVILLE – Sharpeville resident Mabokang Ralitsepe (44) says her worst nightmare came true recently when she was attacked by two pit bulls in Vanderbijlpark. The incident happened on September 15.
Ralitsepe says she was on her way to work when the incident happened.
“I had just gotten out of the taxi and was just a few steps away from entering the gate at my workplace. In a matter of seconds, I was being attacked by two vicious pit bulls.
“One bit my leg while the other one tried to go for my face. I used my hand to block my face and it bit the hand instead.” Ralitsepe said that people tried to get the dogs off her but they carried on attacking her.
“The dog owner’s child also tried to get the dogs to stop attacking me, but they were too strong. By the time they let go, the damage had already been done.”
“I think the incident is one that I will never forget. I still have flashbacks of the attack.”
Ralitsepe was rushed to Sebokeng Hospital for treatment.
“I was able to get treatment at Sebokeng hospital, but the problem is that my physical ability to work multiple jobs has now been affected,” she said.
The single mother of three says since her injury, she has not been able to create any income as she has been home recovering.
“I’m not able to work and this has hurt my livelihood.”
According to Ralitsepe she will open a case against the owners of the dogs as she feels they were negligent.
Vanderbijlpark police spokesperson Sergeant Sabelo Sicqu said such cases can be investigated by police, adding that the owners could be charged if found to have been negligent.
Sicqu urged members of the community to safeguard their dogs to ensure that they do not attack the public.
“Having a dog is a big responsibility and we urge dog owners to ensure that their dogs remain inside gated premises to avoid such attacks on people.”
