Macassar – A four-year-old boy is fighting for his life in a Cape Town hospital after a brutal pit bull attack, while the community members who intervened to save him now face animal cruelty charges for killing the dog. Little C’Jay Nell was mauled on March 12th in Chris Hani Park, Macassar, while at the dog owner’s home.
The incident has left his mother, Shireen, anxiously awaiting news of her son’s condition.
His mother Shireen said: “I wasn’t with him when this happened. He was at the house where the man had a pit bull. The community members saved him and the dog was killed. I was only informed when everything was over. My son is in critical condition at Red Cross War Memorial Hospital. He might have surgery, we are waiting for the doctors to decide while he is kept in the intensive care unit. The dog bit him close to his heart.”
The dog's bite narrowly missed the four-year-old’s heart by just a few millimetres, highlighting the severity of the attack. Doctors are closely monitoring C’Jay and are yet to determine if he will require surgery.
Macassar Community Police Forum chairperson Christiaan Stewart explained the difficult decision residents faced.
“I heard about the incident, the child was walking when he entered a yard. The dog bit him. It was a terrible incident, the community fought the dog. The dog has died, and the community chose to save the child. The SPCA opened a case against the community and said the community members should have called them, and their offices are about five to six kilometres away. The SPCA needs to be more realistic. This was not an ordinary dog, it’s a pit bull. If the community didn’t stop the dog, the boy probably would not have survived.”
Stewart’s account paints a picture of a desperate situation where residents felt they had no choice but to take matters into their own hands to protect the child.
The swift action by Macassar residents ensured that little C’Jay Nell had a fighting chance after being mauled by a pit bull.
However, their actions have now landed them in legal trouble. Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie confirmed that a case of animal cruelty has been opened, and the people responsible for killing the dog face criminal charges.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said they were not involved in this case.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said they were not involved in this case.
"It is our understanding that a case of animal cruelty has been opened and that those responsible for the death of the dog now face criminal proceedings. The cruel death of any animal is not justifiable and has no place in modern society. It is unnecessary in a city where we have laws that protect both people and animals
The SPCA’s stance has drawn criticism from some within the community, who argue that the organisation is being unrealistic in expecting residents to prioritise the life of a pit bull over that of a child. Stewart suggested that the SPCA raises awareness in the community.
The tragic incident has reignited the debate surrounding pit bull ownership and the potential dangers these breeds pose, particularly to children. It also raises questions about the responsibilities of dog owners and the appropriate response in situations where a dog attacks a human being.
