Umtentweni resident and avid fitness enthusiast, Bevis Fairbrother, was recently bitten by two dogs while at Tweni beach.

The nasty incident has seen him having to undergo a series of rabies shots. He would like to think this was an isolated incident, as most dogs he comes across on Tweni beach are curious, but friendly.

He is warning other walkers to take care, and for pet owners to make sure sure their dogs’ vaccinations are up to date.

Bevis had been walking along the northern side of Tweni beach last Tuesday, near the river when he approached two men and a woman fishing in front of the block of flats.

Bevis said their mixed bag of five dogs ran towards him, barking. “I really enjoy seeing everyone walking their dogs, so I didn’t think anything of it when the dogs ran up to me,” he said.

He was expecting the usual friendly greeting of a ‘sniff and pet’, but instead two of the small brown ‘ankle snappers’ (Yorkshire terriers) latched onto his legs, biting him quite severely. “I had to chase them off with my running shoes which were hanging around my neck,” he said. The fisherman hardly budged.

When he approached them, with blood pouring down both legs, one of the fisherman’s response was merely: “Jammer man” and a shrug of the shoulders.

The concerning part is that the fisherman told Bevis this wasn’t the first time their dogs had attacked someone.

They also couldn’t produce any certificates that their dogs had been vaccinated against rabies.

Later that day, he visited a local doctor for a tetanus injection. The doctor took one look at his legs and insisted he be treated for rabies – as he shouldn’t take a chance.

He had to undergo five injections, the first one being injected directly into the wound.

The injections have left him feeling not in the greatest of spirits, and he has suffered headaches, nausea and muscle aches.

Bevis said he didn’t want to scare off dog walkers, as Tweni beach is one of the few places you can walk your dog. “Just know your dog – if it’s not vicious, then by all means, why not let them run free.”

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