MUST READ: Pit bull attack victim prepares for court battle

A Weltevreden Park woman who was severely mauled by two pit bulls is now pursuing the legal route after the pets’ owner failed to settle payments that the two parties had agreed on.

Sarah Zulu Mwase (39), who is now recuperating at home, is adamant that she is taking the dogs’ owner to court after, according to her, arrangements for payments of hospital bills and trauma caused to the victim, fell through.

“We had a meeting to discuss hospital bills which amounted to R70 000 because I was admitted and have undergone plastic surgery to repair the missing flesh. He failed to pay a single payment even after being sent a letter of demand,” said Mwase.

She added that they are now waiting for a court date in order to settle this matter. “We wanted to settle this matter out of court but, for some reason, he now wants to fight in court.”

Recalling the ordeal, Mwase said she was returning from the shops when, on the corner of Without and Ouhout avenues, she was approached by the two unattended canines that pounced on her and started mauling her. The incident happened in August.

The victim told Roodepoort Northsider that the damage could have been worse if she had not been wearing a thick coat. “I could have bled to death if it wasn’t for the coat and the man who came to my rescue,” she explained.

“Life Flora hospital, where I was admitted, want me to settle all my hospital costs. Meanwhile, I still attend physiotherapy sessions to ensure that my arms are functional.” Mwase relies on her hands when conducting her business as a beauty therapist trainer.

Responding to the incident, the dog owner, who asked that his name is withheld, said he was aware of the legal battle that he was facing. “We had agreed to settle the matter out of court but the victim decided to involve her lawyer,” he said.

He added that he explained to the victim that he was going to make a plan but could not afford to pay the hospital bills once off. “The amount I received from them was unreasonable because this incident did not happen on purpose. I took responsibility for the incident because I was arrested by Honeydew police. The SPCA also did an inspection after the incident and they decided I should keep the dogs,” he claimed. The dogs are one-and-half years old.

He alleged that the incident was the first of its kind and he still could not believe that the dogs managed to escape his premises. “I was at work when the incident happened. I still can’t say how they escaped and ran for 2km to attack the victim but I’ve managed to tighten the security.”

Honeydew police spokesperson Balan Muthan confirmed the man’s arrest. He said the man has appeared in court and the case continues.