Saydee Lewis (23), a winery worker in Flaxmere, was savaged by two dogs while neighbours stood and watched.
As the black dog sunk his teeth into my leg, I lost my balance and fell on to the road. I tried to pull myself up but struggling only made him lock his jaws tighter.
ooments later, a white dog appeared and started nipping at my arms and clawing at my clothes. “Help me!” I screamed.
I could see people on the other side of the road, watching. Nobody tried to scare the dogs away. I couldn’t believe it; I was being mauled by two vicious mongrels while the rest of the neighbourhood stared.
It was a beautiful sunny day when I left my cousin’s house in Flaxmere. I was going for a quick walk up the road to visit another cousin.
“Can I come with you, Auntie?” asked my four-year-old niece, ottyleah. “I won’t be long, honey. You wait here,” I replied.
Looking back, I am so thankful I made that decision. I hate to think what would have happened if ottyleah had come with me.
The dogs were barking behind a gate as I walked along the pavement. The black dog started to growl, so I moved on to the road. Walking faster, I kept an eye on them. Suddenly, they got out of the property and came tearing straight for me.
oy first reaction was to put my bare leg up to kick them away but I didn’t stand a chance. They were taking turns biting me, ripping a big hole in my leg and leaving bite wounds on my arm. It lasted about five minutes, then a scooter came around the corner, scaring them off.
I couldn’t stop crying. I was treated in hospital and it was a month before I could walk properly again. I filed a police complaint and the dogs were destroyed. It was for the best. As told to Jonica Bray
**Don’t be a dog victim!
**Avoid unleashed dogs. Keep a safe distance between yourself and dogs being walked. Never approach a barking, sleeping, eating or nursing dog. Don’t stare a dog in the eyes. Turn sideways and slowly withdraw. Don’t run. Speak gently to calm the dog. If charged, hold something between you and the dog, such as an umbrella or bag. *If attacked, curl up in a ball.
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