Thehano ‘struggling’ after dog attack
Thehano Daman, the 11-year-old boy who was savagely attacked by dogs in Knysna recently, is recovering from his seventh operation in the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town.
Thehano, from Joodsekamp, was walking to friends on Human Rights Day, 21 March, when two pit bulls mauled him. His legs bore the brunt of the brutal attack.
He has since undergone three procedures at George Hospital, and four more at the Red Cross Hospital.
‘He is in extreme pain’
According to his mother Melonie Daman, her son is in extreme pain after the latest procedure on 9 April – a skin graft. “It was a three-hour operation and according to doctors it was a success,” she said on Tuesday 10 April. She added that her son will be going into theatre again next week as the procedure on his right leg has not been completed because the doctor needed to leave a spot open from which to drain blood and other fluids. “He still has two ‘draining machines’ connected to him,” she said.
‘Emotionally struggling’
Daman said Thehano is not taking his injuries well emotionally. “When he looked at his legs this morning (10 April) he said, ‘Mommy, I probably won’t walk again’. I told him that with God nothing is impossible, and also that undergoing physiotherapy will help him to walk again someday,” she said.
“I am extremely traumatised by seeing my son crying and in so much pain. He asked the doctor to cover up his legs with bandages because he doesn’t like to see his legs the way they are,” the mother said. Difficulty with one leg
Doctors told her that Thehano will struggle with his right leg in future as most of the tendons have been destroyed. “Last week, Thehano could only take four steps during physio and his right leg was dragging a bit,” she said.
Knysna police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said the case of attempted murder against the owner of the dogs – which have since been put down by the Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS) – is still being investigated. He said it was changed from the initial charge of assault with intention to commit grievous bodily harm, based on information obtained during the initial incident and preliminary investigation.
Investigation ongoing
“The investigation has not been finalised yet and no arrest has been made. The docket will be submitted to the senior public prosecutor for a decision whether to prosecute as soon as the investigation is completed,” Spies added.
He said that victims of such incidents may report it to the Knysna SAPS and/or to the animal welfare society. “All matters are dealt with on its own merits based on the circumstances of such an incidents.
“To remedy the situation, affected parties can and may seek civil mitigation with regards to such incidents in relation to the damages suffered, as well as medical expenses incurred.”