Looking for justice and a helping hand

A Randpark resident sent in this letter and photos:
My sister rents a very small cottage on someone’s property in Randpark Ridge Extension. At the time of renting (about 3/4 months ago) the owners did not tell her that the bull terrier dogs they had were extremely vicious animals, which had already bitten their next door neighbour.

After about a month, one of the bull terriers broke a pane of glass at the cottage, ran in and proceeded to attack my sister. The owner heard her screams and called the dog off.

Due to the dogs, she was petrified to park her car in their garage, with the result – guess what? Her car was stolen, exactly a month ago.

It’s been impossible for her to get to work and back but she has been making plans with taxis and buses. The two landlords both have vehicles and I think one of them lifted her to work and back once or twice. Taxis and buses are not always on time so she has quite a far distance to walk. Her place of work is 18ks from where she lives.

On the April 16, the one owner left the inter-leading gate open, which they do quite often. The male bull terrier took this opportunity and viciously attacked my sister, biting her once on the wrist then grabbed the inside of her thigh and proceeded to tear into her leg.

She now has no transport, no medical aid and has to walk miles with this gaping wound which obviously needs to be rested and medically treated in order for it to heal. There’s no way she has any funds to pop out and buy another car – for goodness sake!!

My sister has been really upset and has tried to remain calm. I’m not that calm and I think this is the most disgusting situation!

The owner had to cheek to tell her that she should have carried on walking and the dog wouldn’t have attacked her? What downright rubbish! My other sister (her twin) was visiting her and tried to close one of the windows. As she did so, the bull terrier jumped up and almost bit her hand.

I’ve taken pictures of my sister’s wounds and am asking the Randburg community whether there is some kind soul who has a spare car lying around (I know that sounds crazy) which they could lend her until she has enough money to buy another one. Or, if someone in the legal profession could advise what actions she could take against these landlords’ dogs?

Shouldn’t this incident have been reported to the police? Surely these landlords must take a huge amount of responsibility for this entire fiasco. Obviously she can’t afford an attorney either.

So now, the landlords are sitting pretty with their bull terriers while continually leaving the inter-leading gate open, while my sister lives in absolute fear. This is not right and since dressing her wound again today (which seems as though it’s turning septic), somehow, justice should be served?

If you can assist in any way at all, either legally, or by way of transport, or even a daily lift from Randpark Ridge Ext to Westdene, please e-mail me on bexi@junxion.za.net.

Thanks MyRandburg.

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Gills dog bite taken on April 27.