GEORGE NEWS - Hendrina Terblanché (53), a Wilderness resident, was seriously injured in a dog attack in Kleinkrantz on Monday afternoon, 27 October.
Terblanché was attacked, allegedly by a pack of 12 dogs, as she was out walking to a shop in the area. She sustained multiple bite wounds to her arms, buttocks and to her shin.
Just before the incident occurred, a nearby resident, Chevonne Holmes, who is known for her work feeding and attending to sick animals in the informal settlement, had allegedly opened her gate when six of her seven dogs escaped from her yard and ran into the street. They started barking at Terblanché, sparking the attack. Six other dogs belonging to some other residents, most of them roaming freely, allegedly joined Holmes' dogs, resulting in the pack of 12.
Hendrina Terblanché (52) sustained multiple bite wounds to her arms, buttocks and shin. Photo: Darryldene Dampies
Some bystanders threw rocks at the dogs in an attempt to end the attack.
According to Terblanché, Holmes had stood watching from her fence without attempting to stop her dogs. Holmes denied these allegations, claiming that she had run to fetch some leashes, and that she entered some nearby bushes with the dogs in order to distract and lure them away, fearing the community's reaction and for her own safety.
Hendrina's grandson, Clayton (18), who saw what was happening to his grandmother, allegedly pursued the dogs and Holmes into the bushes with a spade. He was bitten in the process and sustained minor injuries.
The paramedics treated both Terblanchés before they were transported to hospital. They were released on Tuesday morning after having received wound treatment, antibiotics and the necessary bite wound injections.
The police, law enforcement and the SPCA attended the scene that evening of the incident. Law enforcement issued Holmes four fines totalling R2 100 for contravening municipal by-laws, including not having permits for keeping more than two dogs, allowing vicious dogs without proper signage, and keeping dogs that posed a danger to persons.
The SPCA removed all six Holmes' dogs allegedly involved in the attack and the seventh one, a 16-year-old, who never left the premises and was not involved.
The authorities believed it was in Holmes' best interest to surrender all these animals, especially since the community was out in full force demanding her departure from the informal settlement.
One of the other residents' dogs roaming freely and allegedly involved in the attack was a bull terrier/pit bull cross, owned by a resident currently serving a three-year sentence. The residents prevented the authorities from removing the bull terrier/pit bull cross or any of the other allegedly involved dogs, insisting they posed no public danger. The authorities haven't confirmed whether any of the other dog owners will face any charges.
Terblanché expressed severe trauma, stating that a child could have died in similar circumstances.
Ester Dampies, chairperson of the Kleinkrantz Nature's Valley Community Forum, said:
"Action should be taken against all the owners involved. Many residents have dangerous free-roaming dogs. The SPCA should arrange a community meeting addressing this broader issue, with law enforcement explaining the legal implications to all residents."
The Southern Cape Police's spokesperson, Sergeant Chris Spies, confirmed that no charges had been lodged before the time of going to press.
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