An eight-year-old boy was left with severe injuries after he was allegedly mauled by a pit bull while walking with his mother in Bramford Place, Sunford.
Luan Tissong is receiving treatment at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital following the terrifying attack on Sunday, 30 August. The incident, which has left the youngster and his family deeply traumatised, unfolded while they were walking to a nearby tuck shop.
Speaking to the Phoenix Tabloid**,** Luan’s aunt, Karishma Rambally, said she was at home when she received a frantic call from an unknown number informing her that her nephew had been injured.
“There was a whole lot of commotion on the call. People were saying, ‘Come quickly, it’s your nephew, he’s been hurt.’ My husband and I immediately rushed to the scene,” she said.
When they arrived, they were met by a crowd of concerned residents. Rambally said a member of the community had taken Luan into their home and attempted to assist him following the attack.
According to Rambally, video footage of the incident shows Luan walking with his mother towards a nearby tuck shop when they encountered a dog outside a property.
“From what we could see on the video, it looks like someone had come out to retrieve that dog, but there was a second dog that got involved, and that’s when the attack started. It was quite devastating to see,” she said.
Luan sustained bruising across his torso and severe injuries to his left arm. Part of his left earlobe was also torn off, while he suffered scratches around his head.
His mother was also injured as she desperately attempted to shield her son from the dog.
“His mum was battered from the attack because she tried her very best to protect him. They were being dragged along the road while trying to get the dog off them. You could see the force of the attack,” said Rambally.
Beyond his physical injuries, the family is concerned about the emotional impact the ordeal has had on Luan. Rambally said one of the most heartbreaking moments came when her nephew questioned why the dog had targeted him.
“He asked me, ‘I don’t know why it was me. My mom was in front of me, but it kept coming for me. I wish we had just turned back and went home.’”
“He is already thinking about how he should have protected himself better, but the question should actually be about responsible dog ownership in residential areas,” said Rambally.
The family has also hit back at speculation on social media suggesting that Luan may have previously antagonised or teased the dog. Rambally said Luan, who has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, is a shy and sensitive child.
Although the family has a dog of its own, they are aware that Luan is uncomfortable around pets and ensure their dog is kept away from him when he visits.
“We don’t feel that we need to respond to those kinds of comments, but people need to understand that he is a sensitive child who has already faced challenges in his life. He is not the type of child who would go out and cause something like this for himself,” she said.
The family now hopes Luan’s ordeal will draw attention to the responsibility of dog owners to ensure their animals are properly secured, particularly in residential neighbourhoods where children and other members of the public use the roads and pavements daily.
“Owners need to make sure their dogs are safely and securely kept away from the general public. Everybody should have the right to go for a Sunday stroll or walk to the tuck shop with their child without fearing that they could be attacked by a dog. We want to raise awareness because what happened to Luan should not happen to another child. There have to be protocols and safety measures in place,” said Rambally.
A case has since been opened at Phoenix SAPS. SAPS spokesperson Captain Carmen Rhynes confirmed that police are investigating a case relating to the keeping of a ferocious dog following the incident.
“The South African Police Service can confirm that a case relating to the keeping of a ferocious dog was opened at Phoenix SAPS following an incident in which an eight-year-old boy was allegedly attacked by a pit bull,” said Rhynes.
She said the incident allegedly occurred at approximately 1.30pm on 30 August while the mother and her son were walking along Bramford Place towards nearby shops.
“The dog allegedly became aggressive and attacked the child,” Rhynes said.
She confirmed that no arrests had been made and that Phoenix SAPS was continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
“The SAPS is unable to provide further details at this stage as the matter remains under investigation,” she added.
Attempts to contact the dog’s owners for comment were unsuccessful at the time of print.
