Dog attack: Thehano doing ‘very well’
The 11-year-old boy attacked by dogs in Joodsekamp, Knysna last month is recovering well at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, says his mother, and will soon undergo his ninth operation.
Thehano Daman was mauled by two pit bulls on 21 March on his way to visit friends. Two men on the scene were finally able to rescue him by chasing the dogs off with sticks and a spade.
A 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 by local police.
‘Now he just wants to walk’
According to Melonie Daman, Thehano’s mother, her son is doing very well and is now able to stand and walk slightly with or without crutches. She said he will go for another skin graft procedure on his left buttock on 30 April, and possibly a small area on his right leg.
“After he became so weak during his last operation, the doctors wanted him to recover properly before continuing with the next operation,” she said.
“It is only through God’s grace and through the prayers of many people in Knysna that my child can walk again, even though he is not at 100%. He is trying very hard. This morning he told me, ‘Mommy, I am going to do my best to walk again because I have been lying here for more than a month now’. Now he just wants to walk,” said Daman on Monday 23 April.
She said the doctors are very impressed with Thehano’s recovery, “and so am I,” she added proudly.
Another child attacked
In an unfortunate twist of events, another young child was attacked by what community members called a problematic dog in Begonia Street, Hornlee last week – possibly on Wednesday 18 April.
Although the Knysna-Plett Herald (KPH) is still awaiting the full details, we can confirm that KAWS confiscated and euthanased the animal the following day, 19 April.
According to municipal spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhout, the owner of the dog had been issued with a fine since he failed to comply with the municipality’s previous notices. “We are aware of the attack but cannot give any comment on the condition of the child. The decision to confiscate and euthanase the dog was a personal decision by the owner and not an instruction from the municipality,” he said.
KPH was able to accompany law enforcement officials and KAWS inspector Victor Mkamanga to the residence. An emotional owner signed over the dog, Mkamanga used a catching pole to place it in a dog carrier, and the animal was put down later that day.
Mkamanga – a KAWS employee for 11 years – believes the dog was a pit bull crossed with something like a German Shepherd, which he says makes the end result even more aggressive than a pure breed.
As soon as more information becomes available, KPH will bring readers the full story.