- A Khayelitsha mother reportedly took a R2,000 bribe from dog owners after their pitbulls attacked her disabled son.
- Sihle Feni, the son’s caregiver, took him to the hospital but was criticised for asking for help with his recovery.
A Khayelitsha mother reportedly took a R2,000 bribe instead of helping her disabled son who was attacked by two pitbulls.
The dog owners offered the mother the money to keep the incident quiet.
The 21-year-old victim, who has trouble speaking, was walking in the street when the dogs attacked him.
Sihle Feni, who has helped care for the victim for three years, rushed him to the hospital when she heard about the attack.
“I used to see him going to the places that cook for those in need in different places around Khayelitsha, I didn’t like that and offered to assist him,” said Feni.
“He arrived every day at 7am and went back to his mother’s place around 9pm. I am doing everything for him, including buying toiletries.”
When Feni asked the dogs’ owner to help feed the young man while he recovered, she was criticised.
“I was painted as a bad person who wants to benefit by using the victim,” she said.
The mother refused to open a case when Feni gave her the hospital forms.
“Instead of defending her son, she started swearing at me, saying that the dogs didn’t do anything wrong by attacking her son. I was shocked at why a mother would say that about her son,” Feni added.
Locals say the mother allegedly has drug and alcohol problems.
“I was not surprised to hear that she chose money, and if we let these dogs continue staying in our area, we would be stupid. One day they will kill someone like they did to other dogs,” said one resident.
Law Enforcement spokesman Wayne Dyason said owners must control their animals outside their yards.
SPCA spokeswoman Belinda Abraham said they investigate such cases.
“Unfortunately, people and animals both pay the price of irresponsible pet ownership,” she said.
Pictured above: A drug-addict mother chose money over her disabled son, who has been attacked by two pitbulls.
Source: Supplied
