What to know about dog attacks: A Durban family's harrowing pitbull experience

A 15-year-old spoke of how he looked their family dog - a pitbull - in the eye and pried its jaws open with his hands when it locked onto his leg after biting two other family members in Durban, on Monday. 

The pitbull went into a frenzy, biting a mother and her two sons. None of the family members wanted to be identified or their injuries photographed. 

Recounting the moments, a family member said he was in the room when he heard his brother scream. He rushed outside to find the dog had bitten his mother and brother outside the front door. He said that he pulled them inside the house and closed the gate but the dog pushed his head through a gap in the gate and gripped him on the leg.

“He was jumping from one to another, trying to get a grip on them. I pulled them in, and before I could close the door, he came through the gate. I punched the dog in an attempt to get him off my leg, but that did not work. I am not sure where I got the strength from, but I gripped either side of his jaw and pulled it open to release my leg,” he said. 

The family were bitten on their hands and legs. During the ordeal, the family contacted the neighbourhood watch for help, with several private security companies rushing to their assistance. The dog was pepper-sprayed to subdue it, allowing the family to get out of the property. The SPCA had removed the dog and the family were taken to hospital.  

Garrith Jamieson, ALS Paramedics spokesperson, said that in a separate incident, five dogs attacked a man in his garden in Yellow Wood Park on Sunday. 

“The man had sustained multiple bites to his entire body and was in a critical condition,” he said. 

In October 2025, an elderly woman from Wentworth was attacked by two pit bulls while walking home.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) stated that contrary to popular belief, the SPCA does not get involved in dog attacks on humans. The SPCA mandate is to protect animals against humans, not the other way round, in terms of The Animals Protection Act.

The SPCA reported that in January 2024, a 60-year-old Durban man had to be stabilised by paramedics and hospitalised after he was bitten multiple times by his boerboel. Less than a month earlier, a one-year-old baby was badly bitten by the family’s pitbull.

The SPCA stated that while most dog attacks involve unfamiliar dogs, there are cases of family pets turning on their owners. 

“Children under the age of six are more likely to suffer serious injuries from a dog attack as they will be bitten on the head, face and neck. Older children and adults are more likely to be bitten on the legs, arms and hands,” the SPCA stated. 

The SPCA provided tips on how to protect yourself against dog bites:

• Learn to recognise signs of stress or aggression in dogs. Most will warn you by growling, raising their hackles, snarling or adopting a stiff body posture. If a dog shows these signs of aggression, retreat slowly and avoid provoking them further.
• Teach children respect for animals from a young age on how to approach and interact with dogs safely. They should always ask permission before petting unfamiliar dogs and treat the family dog with respect.

• Respect dogs’ boundaries and personal space, just as you would a person’s. Avoid disturbing them when they are eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies.
• Avoid situations that may provoke or agitate dogs, such as teasing or rough play. It may be a game to you, but it could turn into something else if the dog feels threatened or protective of a toy.
• Be cautious around stray or unfamiliar dogs, especially if they appear frightened or aggressive. If an unfamiliar dog approaches you, remain calm and avoid making sudden movements.
• Stand still or back away slowly without making direct eye contact. Do not attempt to run away, which may trigger the dog’s chase instinct. If the dog knocks you over, curl into a ball and protect your face and neck. 

What to do if a dog bites you: 

• In a serious attack, the priority is to restrain and remove the dog from the scene. The second is to obtain medical help. 
• If the bite is less serious, wash it thoroughly with soap and warm water, apply an antiseptic and a dressing. Dogs’ saliva and teeth may carry bacteria, and a tetanus shot will be needed.
• Regardless of the severity of the bite, if the skin is broken or scratched, there is a danger of rabies infection.

How to reduce the chances of your dog biting someone:

Dog training and socialising are extremely helpful in teaching dogs how to interact with other people, dogs, objects and situations appropriately, without fear or aggression.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za