Regents Park family mourns Yorkie killed in brutal dog attack

The Cooper family in Regents Park is still grieving the tragic loss of their beloved seven-year-old cross-breed Yorkie, Scruffles, who was fatally mauled by a Bullmastiff on August 16.

In a distressing graphic video of the incident, the Bullmastiff is seen holding on to the Yorkie with all its teeth until it dies.

Monica Cooper said their dog was violently killed outside their house. “There are witnesses who saw the owner running away. This is not the first time this dog has attacked another dog. He is vicious and we have reported him before. The neighbours have complained and fear for their children. Must we wait until he kills a child before something is done? My heart is broken and I need action to be taken as soon as possible,” she said.

Monica confirmed that she contacted Animal Anti-Cruelty League-JHB (AACL-JHB) and Johannesburg Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) for help. She also went to Moffat View SAPS, and she was told to write down the incident, and they issued her an OB number (which refers to a number from an Occurrence Book, a police record used to log all events, complaints, and activities at a police station for a given day) to take to JSPCA.

Her husband, Craig, confirmed to the Southern Courier/Comaro Chronicle that JSPCA served the owner of the Bullmastiff with a letter, however, he is not sure what the content of it is.

Carren Nickloes, marketing manager at AACL-JHB, said the matter was reported to them on August 25. According to Monica, her neighbour’s dog attacked and killed her dog outside her property. She has also expressed concern regarding the possibility of another attack in the future.

“A message was taken by our receptionist and referred to our inspectorate on their return to the office later that day. Monica then contacted us again before an inspector could call back and spoke to chief inspector, Rulof Jackson. He spoke to Monica at 15:07 on the day and discussed her concerns.

“She was advised that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the JMPD and should be reported to them for investigation. She may also contact her local councillor to escalate concerns regarding a potentially dangerous animal in her area. She has the option to lay a criminal charge with the SAPS against the owner of the dog,” explained Carren.

AACL-JHB’s position:

“As an organisation, our mandate is to ensure the welfare of animals in line with the Animal Protection Act. While this case involves harm caused by one animal to another, we remain committed to monitoring the welfare of the offending dog. Our chief inspector has scheduled a welfare inspection of the neighbour’s dog today to ensure the animal is not itself subject to neglect or abuse.”

When a similar incident happens, the recommended actions by AACL-JHB are:

File a police report

• Document the incident in full by opening a formal case with SAPS.

• Lay a charge of culpable negligence or other applicable charges against the dog’s owner. Under South African common law, a dog owner may be held strictly liable for damages caused by their dog, regardless of negligence.

Report to local authorities

• Contact JMPD to lodge a complaint about a potentially dangerous animal in terms of municipal by-laws governing the keeping and control of animals.

• Notify her local Ward Councillor to ensure community safety measures are considered.

Gather supporting evidence

• Compile all relevant evidence, including photographs, veterinary bills, and a detailed statement of events, to support any criminal or civil proceedings.

Consider civil action

• Seek legal advice regarding a civil claim for damages, as South African law often applies strict liability to dog owners whose animals cause harm outside their property.

Applicable legislation:

• Animal Protection Act 71 of 1962: This Act criminalises cruelty to animals by humans. It does not impose liability on an owner for one animal harming another animal, unless the owner’s conduct constitutes active cruelty or neglect (e.g., deliberately setting a dog on another animal, or knowingly allowing a suffering injured animal to go untreated).

• Municipal By-Laws (City of Johannesburg): These by-laws require owners to ensure their animals do not become a nuisance or danger to others.

• South African Common Law: Provides that the owner of a domestic animal is liable for damage caused by that animal if it acted contrary to its nature without provocation.

Southern Courier is still waiting for JSPCA response in this matter.