Ekurhuleni community in outrage after 3-year-old girl mauled to death by dogs

A ward councillor in the City of Ekurhuleni, Geoffrey Mthembu, says the group of dogs that fatally mauled a 3-year-old girl last week, are still roaming the streets.

The toddler was killed at Marathon informal settlement on Friday evening.

“The toddler was walking alone through a narrow passage within the settlement, as she often did while visiting her grandfather. During this walk, she was viciously attacked by approximately five dogs,” Mthembu said.

“Despite any efforts to assist her, the child sadly succumbed to her injuries later, on the same day.”

Mthembu said the toddler’s mother is terminally ill, battling stage four cancer, which he said further compounds the grief and devastation faced by the toddler’s family.

"It is important to note that this marks the third reported incident involving the same group of dogs in this area,” he said.

“The two previous incidents involved other children, who fortunately survived, though with trauma.

"The dogs have been repeatedly described by the community as highly aggressive and dangerous.”

Following the recent attack on Friday, community members allegedly took matters into their own hands by demolishing the shacks believed to belong to the owners of the marauding dogs. 

“During this action, seven puppies were also killed,” said Mthembu.

The incident has raised serious concerns around animal control, public safety, and the need for urgent municipal intervention.

Gugu Sisilana, the City’s spokesperson, said the child had been in contact with a dog suspected of being infected with rabies.

She said after exhibiting symptoms such as fatigue and a sore throat, the child passed away.

“The city’s communicable diseases team discovered that the child had been in contact with a sick dog during their investigation. They also learnt that the dog had become aggressive and was put down by the owner.

“Rabies in humans can present with symptoms such as headaches, fever, mental confusion, irritability, restlessness, and muscle pain, among others. The disease is extremely dangerous, but it is preventable,” she said.

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