Dog bite victim faces up to life

ALMOST three months after Richards Bay toddler Sebastian Strecker was viciously attacked by his family dog, the resilient 16-month-old continues to grab life by the horns.

Still mending from intricate facial reconstruction surgery, the young boy’s proud mother Karien gushes about her child’s contagious joyful demeanour despite the traumatic incident.

Sebastian was rushed to the Netcare The Bay Hospital on 18 January after the Streckers’ American pit bull suddenly launched an attack on the toddler, biting into his left cheek and leaving a deep gash from his eye to his jawline.

‘Even after everything, all he wants to do is play outside and have fun,’ says Karien.

‘The scarring has lightened and now only looks like a few scratches. He is so beautiful and the doctors are also very happy.

‘In fact, he only has to see Dr De Lange (ophthalmologist) in three years to check his eye and in seven to eight months Dr Van Rooyen (surgeon) will be able to see if there’s any permanent damage to the nerves in his face.’

The last treatment required is an ointment applied to Sebastian’s face on a daily basis to remedy the remaining scar tissue.

Against all odds he is still a canine lover, showing no signs of holding grudges against dogs in general.

Karien said she has kept all the public’s messages of condolences posted on the Zululand Observer Facebook page to show Sebastian when he gets older.

‘I put all their kind words in a Mickey Mouse scrapbook and one day, if he should have questions about the marks on his face, this book will really help to console him.’

Read more about Sebastian’s attack HERE