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AN 85-year-old woman from Wentworth, Delyse Augustine, is lucky to be alive after being brutally attacked by two pit bulls while walking home from grocery shopping at the intersection of Lubbe and Ogle roads on October 3.

Also read: Police warn of increase in dog attacks in Merewent

Bronwyn Samuels said her mother had gone out of her way to avoid the two pit bulls who were already barking and trying to attack dogs behind a gate. “My mom crossed the road to get out of their way, but the dogs suddenly came out from the other gate and attacked my mom from behind. The dogs began to just maul her,” said Samuels.

She added that three brave members of the community risked their lives to help save her mother. “In all honesty, she would have been killed today if those people had not pulled those dogs off her. All three of them were bitten trying to save her,” said Samuels.

One of those brave people was Jaden Slimmerts, who recalled the harrowing ordeal.

“It began when the dogs broke out of the yard. They followed the boyfriend of the owner to the corner of Lubbe Road, and then they ran to another gate and attacked a dog behind it. A couple of us managed to stop the dogs from attacking the other dogs, but the pit bulls began snapping and barking at everyone nearby,” he said.  Augustine walked past them safely, and as she walked a bit further, out of nowhere they attacked her. “They started biting her groceries but then as she kept pulling the bags, they began to bite her legs,” said Slimmerts.

He said when he saw them attack Augustine, he rushed over to her and tried to push the dogs off, but they wouldn’t release. “I had to lift the dog up with my hands before it let go of her. Both the dogs turned their attention to me and cornered me, the one jumped and bit my arm before I managed to push it into the garden. It was chaos, but we were able to get them off everyone eventually,” he shared.

Also read: Pitbull attacks Bluff man walking his dog

Injuries sustained

Augustine’s granddaughter Laiken Samuels said that her grandmother had sustained deep puncture wounds to her legs and a large tear to her head.

“She’s been for CT scans and seen specialists for her head. It looks like she may need plastic surgery or a skin graft for the wound on her head. She’s in a lot of pain, but we’re just grateful she’s alive,” said Laiken.

She added that the family is deeply thankful to the three community members who stepped in and helped. “We are truly grateful for the love and support we have received. The community came out in numbers to help, it restored our faith in humanity,” she said.

Living in fear with no action

However, the family has expressed their frustrations at the fact that the owner of the dogs did not take responsibility and that the dogs are still present on the property. “The SPCA was called, and charges were laid, but the dogs are still being kept in the house. The Wentworth police station interviewed my gran and the owner that night. We’re escalating the matter with Metro Police,” said Laiken.

Also read: Yellowwood Park pitbull that bit child euthanased but evidence of abuse comes to light

Bronwyn said many residents are living in fear on Ogle Road. “People have reached out to us and said they are worried to go and hang their washing in case the dogs come after them. They are also worried about the children who cannot play outside over fear if the dogs get free. People are carrying sticks and planks for protection. It’s not the first time something like this has happened on this particular road. We can’t wait until a child is mauled to death before any action is taken by local authorities,” said Bronwyn.

The Wentworth police station confirmed a case has been opened and they will be investigating further.

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