Sadly, dog attacks are in the news again. But be warned, they should never have happened in the first place because in most cases, neglect or ignorance are the underlying cause. For too long humans have employed dogs to guard their properties from intruders, which is a good move as dogs are naturally territorial and will keep undesirables at bay. But most dog owners are unrealistic in their expectations of what the dog’s function should be.  Often I get calls along the lines of, “I got beaten up and robbed last night and I need a vicious dog to rip these bastards to pieces if they ever try again!” And while I’m sympathetic, I have to explain dogs should not be lethal weapons but rather early warning alarms at which they excel.

Vicious and dangerous dogs have a terrible down side. They will usually attack anything that moves, including your kids or neighbours kids who may climb over your garden wall to retrieve their  ball - not forgetting your friends, family, employees, estate agents, government workers and even the poor old postmen, who incidentally in the Durban area alone sustain at least 9 bites a month!
Dog owners must take responsibility by educating themselves and their dogs from puppyhood, to ensure their animals don’t  become canine criminals  and finish up another sad statistic.

Question:

The other morning I was late for work and left my gate open in my haste. Vat’om, my Staffie ran into the road and bit a pedestrian on the calf and thigh quite badly. I offered to pay the doctors bills, and I put the dog down straight away, but now I’ve just received a lawyer’s letter suing me for R85.000.00 in damages!
Is there anything I can do as I don’t have the money?

How very sad for your poor dog who was the real victim in this avoidable incident.
Your first step is to consult an attorney who will give you the correct legal advice. Do also check your insurance policy as you may find a clause which covers you against dog attacks.

Question:

I see on the news that the Grandmother of Ellie Lawrenson, the little girl in England who was killed by the Pit Bull a year ago, was found not guilty of gross negligence and manslaughter. Surely she should have been found guilty as she was looking after the child at the time.
What are your thoughts on the subject?

A most interesting question because although Granny Simpson’s son Hilton owned the dog,  she was responsible for it at the time, while he was in jail serving a sentence for keeping a banned animal … or so it seems from the reports I have read?
Furthermore, from the visuals I saw, the dog was a time bomb about to explode  … someone was teasing and encouraging it to “kill” an old soccer ball, which is tantamount to attack training!
We might never what really happened or why, but a hard fact is all Pit Bulls are banned in the UK and if found are put down without mercy, so I’m puzzled why the dog was still around when it killed the child?
The pity is I know many perfectly delightful Pitbulls who have been raised as social and friendly canine citizens and who do not have a mean bone in their bodies.
Again the blame must sit squarely with owners who knowingly, or unknowingly, turn these dogs into killing machines.

Question:

Is there anything I can do to prevent being bitten by dogs in future because my new job necessitates I go into private properties?

Yes, certainly there are many precautions you can take.
First prize is, be cautious … very cautious and remember prevention is better than cure!
Dogs are territorial animals and will automatically protect their properties - in their opinion you are the enemy attempting to overthrow them and steal their land, so do not enter their premises unless the owner is present or the dogs have been removed from the scene.

Question:

My neighbour has a large vicious dog. Twice it’s gotten under the fence and attacked people. The owner is rude not at all interested in my complaints and the SAP say they can’t help either. Is there anything I can do to protect my kids and employees who walk past that property every day?

The law is clear - Dangerous or vicious dogs are illegal. The problem is, it seems no one will enforce this law.
Do try the Metro Police - put your complaint in writing and keep following up - they are obliged to protect the public.
In the meantime steer clear of the property.