Fur flies as dog walker, SANParks lay counter charges

WHAT started as a mid-week dog-walking exercise has ended in a court battle between Muizenberg resident Beryl Penny and SANParks.

Penny has laid charges of assault with police after she alleged SANParks rangers manhandled her while she was walking her six dogs on a Silvermine trail two weeks ago.

SANParks officials have in turn laid charges of assault and damage to property alleging that Penny had been verbally and physically abusive towards a ranger.

SANParks also alleged Penny had set her pit bulls on more than one ranger, and keyed the official vehicle.

Penny appeared in the Simon’s Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, and the case was postponed to August 1.

According to Penny, she knew she did not have a permit to walk the dogs, but was prepared to pay a fine when the incident happened on June 6. She said the rangers were hostile, and started a physical tussle which left her with bruises and grazes.

“They grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. There was about five rangers and one kicked the dog. I did not tell my dogs to go for them, the dogs were protecting me,” Penny said.

As she wanted to leave the trail, Penny said she was kept against her will for two hours.

“We were in the car and it was hot. I did not have a my phone and used a tourist’s to send my husband a message. He came with police.” When Penny wanted to lay charges at Fish Hoek police station she was told there was a warrant for her arrest.

“I did not key the car. I was furious and whacked the vehicle with my dogs’ leash,” Penny said.

Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed Penny’s case, and said an assault case was being investigated.

SANParks spokesperson Janine Raftopoulos said rangers followed procedures and it was unfortunate the way things unfolded.

“While on patrol in gate 2, a female was encountered walking seven dogs in the park. She was requested by the ranger sergeant to produce an activity permit as is standard practice. She became verbally and physically abusive towards the ranger and struck him with her dogs’ leash and had the dogs (pit bulls and bull terriers) attack and maul not only the one ranger but other rangers. The ranger was bit on the left thigh close to the groin area,”Raftopoulos said.