Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A man made a brief appearance in the Mossel Bay Municipal Court on Thursday, 12 September, following multiple complaints from Reebok residents about his dogs and allegations that they were not walked on leashes in public and had attacked several people.
A woman was expected to appear with the man, however, she did not arrive at court. The pair's name is known to the Mossel Bay Advertiser. They cannot be named yet, as the woman has not appeared in court.
The couple own two dogs that allegedly attacked several women or their dogs in the Reebok area during the period, 25 July 2022 to 13 July this year.
The Advertiser reported in early August this year that five women made affidavits against the woman. The five women claimed that they or their dogs had been attacked. The affidavits were taken by Great Brak River Police Station.
Attorney Jaco Barnard, the legal representative for some of the complainants, said a warrant of arrest was issued for the woman, but it was stayed until 26 September, when the man and woman are expected to appear again.
Sanette Terblanche shows her torn and bloodied
walking pants, which she alleges were damaged
in what she claims was an encounter with two
dogs in May last year. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse
Attorney Alice Swanepoel says she is the legal representative for both the man and the woman. Swanepoel says the woman was not available to appear in court on 12 September and will appear on 26 September.
She says the charge sheet has not yet been finalised and therefore she does not have confirmation on why the pair have been summonsed but she expects to receive it in due course.
"I will take instruction and once I have the charge sheet, I can revert. In the interim, my client's rights are reserved."
Strict action
Following the court appearance, Mossel Bay Municipality released a statement on 17 September, stating it has been inundated with complaints of people walking their dogs without leashes.
The municipality notes that strict action is planned against owners walking dogs without leashes in terms of the by-law on the keeping of dogs.
The by-law "determines that no person shall allow, cause or permit any dog owned, entrusted to, under control of or kept by such person to be in any public road or public place except on a leash and under the control of some responsible person.
"It further determines that no person shall allow, cause or permit any dog owned, entrusted to, under the control of or kept by such person, which is ferocious, vicious or dangerous to be in any public road or public
place, unless it is muzzled and held on a leash and under control of some responsible person."
The statement defines a public place and public road as any road, street, thoroughfare, bridge, trail, pavement, alley, square, garden, park or open space in the jurisdiction of the municipality to which the public has free access or at any time has been zoned or been declared or rendered such by any competent authority.
"Owners of dogs are requested to refrain from contravening these provisions. The municipality may enforce the provisions of the by-law in the municipal court if owners are found in contravention," the statement noted.
Course of action for residents
The municipality states that should a dog create an immediate threat and proceed to attack, the victim can open a case with the police. It notes that this may be in the victim's interests, should any future complications arise from the attack.
Those experiencing persistent behaviour by dogs that creates a nuisance, for example barking incessantly, can assist municipal law enforcement officers to take action against dog owners by placing their experiences on record in the form of an affidavit, with as much detail as possible.
Also, incidents can be reported to the municipality by calling 044 606 5000.
Previous article: Five women make affidavits about ‘attacks’ by Reebok dogs
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