A QUICK response by Macassar residents ensured that little C’Jay Nell had a fighting chance after being mauled by a pit bull.

The dog's bite narrowly missed the four-year-old’s heart by just a few millimeters. His family is awaiting information on whether he will need surgery

C’Jay was at the dog owner’s home when the attack occurred about a week ago on March 12 in Chris Hani Park, Macassar.

His mother Shireen said: “I wasn’t with him when this happened. He was at the house where the man had a pit bull. The community members saved him and the dog was killed. I was only informed when everything was over. My son is in critical condition at Red Cross War Memorial Hospital. He might have surgery, we are waiting for the doctors to decide while he is kept in the intensive care unit. The dog bit him close to his heart.”

Macassar Community police forum chairperson Christiaan Stewart said residents had to make the tough decision between saving the child or killing the dog.

“I heard about the incident, the child was walking when he entered a yard. The dog bit him. It was a terrible incident, the community fought the dog. The dog has died, and the community chose to save the child. The SPCA opened a case against the community and said the community members should have called them, and their offices are about five to six kilometres away. The SPCA needs to be more realistic. This was not an ordinary dog, it’s a pit bull. If the community didn’t stop the dog, the boy probably would not have survived.”

Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said they were not involved in this case.

"It is our understanding that a case of animal cruelty has been opened and that those responsible for the death of the dog now face criminal proceedings. The cruel death of any animal is not justifiable and has no place in modern society. It is unnecessary in a city where we have laws that protect both people and animals

Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie confirmed a case of animal cruelty has been opened and the people responsible for killing the dog face criminal charges.

Cape Times

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Residents save boy, 4 from pit bull attack