Durban — The future is mired in uncertainty for Nozipho Mthethwa, a resident of Twickenham, Phoenix, after she suffered severe injuries from a vicious pit bull attack.
Her attempts to open a criminal case against the owner of the dog is being delayed because the public hospital that treated her has apparently refused to provide her with a J88 form that lists her injuries.
The 23 -year-old, who works in a sewing factory, was en route to a bus stop with her colleagues on Saturday, November 16, when she was attacked by the dog. Describing the area that she was walking through as a typically quiet neighbourhood, she was caught completely off-guard when the unleashed dog lunged at her, inflicting serious bites to her arm.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, her colleagues acted swiftly, rushing her to a local clinic. However, her medical journey did not end there, she was subsequently transferred to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital. It was there that doctors delivered the news that she had sustained severe injuries, including a torn tendon. Following further evaluation, she was referred to Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital and was admitted there for a week.
The prognosis suggested that the amputation of her arm could be necessary.
The Mthethwa family, grappling with the emotional and financial toll of this incident, are now contemplating pursuing legal action against the dog's owner.
Yet, their path to justice has been obstructed by bureaucratic hurdles. The family is in desperate need of a J88 form, a critical document that must be signed by medical personnel to initiate a police investigation.
However, their attempts have been thwarted; hospital staff informed them that Mthethwa’s outstanding medical fees, a fact unknown to her prior to admission and prevented them from providing the necessary documentation.
This predicament has left the family feeling trapped and frustrated. A police officer initially assisted them by reaching out to the hospital regarding the form, but the ongoing obligation to cover Mthethwa’s treatment fees complicated matters further.
She also said that the dog owner has not offered any financial or emotional support since the incident.
The gruesome encounter has not only jeopardised her health but has also sparked a broader discussion about the responsibilities of dog owners in residential areas.
Andile Jali, the chairperson of the eThekwini Neighbourhood Watch voiced his concern over the incident.
“It is saddening. We must hold pet owners accountable for failing to secure their dogs,” said Jali.
He called for the authorities to investigate and enforce stricter regulations on dog ownership.
“Was the attack was racially motivated as the community speculated? This must be investigated. Further would the owner be willing to see something like this happen to their own children?”, asked Jali.
He advocated for the most stringent consequences if negligence is proven.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health did not respond to questions at the time of going to print.
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