GEORGE NEWS - A 53-year-old disabled man tragically died after being bitten in the throat by a badly injured Alsatian in Woltemade Street, Rosemoor. Leornard Botha, known to all as 'Toll', was rushed to the George Hospital on Monday 3 September but passed away two days later.
Veronica Mdyesha, who took Toll into her care after his parents died when he was 22 years old, said ,"He had a good sense of generosity and liked to help people. Despite his speech disorder and the fact that he walked with a limp, he was ready to lend a hand to do the odd jobs in the neighbourhood."
His sister Margo Kanie told the George Herald, "He was the only brother and we will miss his good nature and warm heart."
The incident leading to his tragic death allegedly occurred on Friday 31 August at around 23:00 when two teenagers accompanied by two dogs, one a pit bull straining on a leash and the other walking free, walked past. The youths set the pit bull loose to attack an Alsatian that was on a chain running alongside the house.
Two neighbours, one across the road and the other at the back fence, saw the dogfight. The yelps and squeals of the fighting dogs woke the neighbours who started shouting at the two boys. One of the teenagers picked up a brick in the driveway and smashed it over the Alsatian's head to separate the dogs.
The witnesses weren't sure if the pit bull was also injured by the brick, as the two boys ran away down the street.
Monday morning the mother of Jennifer de Vries, the Alsatian's owner, saw the dog was missing and asked Toll, who works in their garden, to go and look for the dog. He found the dog in the next street and brought him back to the house. While Toll was trying to put him back on the chain, the dog went for his throat, pinning him to the ground. De Vries believes that her dog, who was in pain from the fight, snapped for fear of being tied up again.
Nadia Ferreira, spokesperson for the George Hospital, confirmed that a patient matching the description was admitted to the ICU on 3 September and passed away on 5 September. "The cause of death will be determined through an autopsy which will be made available to the police," said Ferreira.
The SPCA has put down the Alsatian and is investigating the incident.
Conville police station commander, Colonel AB Kriga, confirmed the incident and said an inquest docket has been opened.
Ciara Tait a Grade 11 learner from York High who was job-shadowing at the George Herald assisted with the article.
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