Walks turn risky due to roaming dog attacks in Pacaltsdorp

GEORGE NEWS - The recent attacks on people and other dogs by a reportedly roaming Rottweiler in the Mooikloof and surrounding Diepkloof and Oudekloof estates in Pacaltsdorp have residents fuming.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the residents says at least three incidents have taken place over the last two weeks, and further sightings of other roaming dogs were reported as recently as Monday 4 May.

The residents say they are afraid to walk around the area by themselves or with their dogs.

This all follows an incident on Saturday 18 April in which a resident's gardener, who was walking his employer's dog in Mooikloof, was attacked by a Rottweiler, presumed to be a stray, resulting in bite wounds to the dog that required veterinary treatment. The SPCA subsequently removed the animal.

However, the Rottweiler had an owner, who lives on a nearby plot outside the estate. He came forward to claim his dog.

A second, more serious incident followed on 28 April. A resident (61) was walking his 12-year-old dog on a leash near the Diepkloof security gate when the same Rottweiler allegedly charged at them.

The man was knocked to the ground and sustained severe bite wounds to his hand, while his dog suffered significant injuries to its back.

A security guard and some other residents intervened and managed to subdue the Rottweiler and call the SPCA, who promptly came to impound the dog again.

The injured man, who has a pre-existing medical condition, was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery on his hand later that same evening. His dog also required veterinary care for the wounds on its back.

The Southern Cape Police's spokesperson, Warrant Officer Chris Spies, confirmed that an investigation is under way following the incident.

The Rottweiler is currently being kept at the SPCA. "According to the by-laws, if the owner cannot contain a dog deemed vicious, we can't hand the dog back to him unless certain strict criteria are met. We have to ensure the safety of the dog and the people around it before any decisions are made. That said, the dog has not shown any aggression towards our staff at the SPCA," said the Garden Route SPCA's inspector manager, Gerda Groenewald.

Despite this intervention, the residents maintain that their troubles with roaming dogs continue.

On Saturday 2 May, another resident reported being confronted by two large dogs, one described as a Rottweiler and the other as a brown dog, while walking in Beach Road near Oudekloof.

The dogs were spotted in the area again, and the SPCA was notified. These dogs were traced to a nearby farm, and the owner undertook to secure them on his property. These dogs were not involved in the two attacks involving some dogs and residents of the Mooikloof Estate on 18 and 28 April.

Some security guards from the estates say roaming dogs are making patrols increasingly difficult and potentially unsafe. One of the guards reported a large brown dog roaming near a children's play area in the early hours of the morning.

The Mooikloof Homeowners Association said it has engaged with law enforcement and the SPCA to address the issue.

They are urging authorities to take stronger action and ask that people ensure their animals are properly secured. An owner can be held legally liable for injuries caused by their dog.This dog was attacked by a Rottweiler while out walking with his owner.