Mother loses arm in HORRIFIC dog attack
A mother from Benoni has lost her arm and is still in hospital after the beloved family dog attacked her and her son. Here is the latest.
A quiet afternoon in Brentwood Park turned into a nightmare when a beloved family dog, Zeus, attacked his owner, Linda Venter (37), and her 11-year-old son, Breyden.
MOTHER LOSES HER ARM IN HORRIFIC DOG ATTACK
The harrowing incident has left Linda seriously injured, with the loss of her right arm, while Breyden recovers from multiple bite wounds.
ALSO READ: Elderly mother SEVERELY mauled in one of the worst dog attacks in SA
According to a report by Maroela Media the incident occurred while Linda was hanging laundry in the backyard, and Breyden played with his rugby ball nearby.
THE BELOVED FAMILY DOG, ZUES, ATTACKED 11-YEAR-OLD BREYDEN
Zeus, who had always been a part of their family, was usually seen playing alongside Breyden. The details of what transpired remain unclear, but suddenly, Zeus turned on Breyden, prompting Linda to intervene to protect her son.
ALSO READ: MORE people attacked by five VICIOUS pit bulls in Sherwood [Update]
Philip Stoneman, a chaplain for Trauma Support SA and Linda’s brother-in-law, spoke to Maroela Media on behalf of the Venter family.
In a desperate attempt to save Breyden, Linda grappled with the dog, but Zeus clamped his jaws onto her, causing catastrophic injuries to her right arm.
LINDA GRAPPLED WITH THE DOG TO PROTECT HER SON
Stoneman, who arrived at the scene shortly afterward, described the horrifying scene he encountered.
“I found Breyden face down on the grass, and Linda was on the floor in the kitchen. It was a traumatic sight,”said Stoneman.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Young father VICIOUSLY attacked and mauled by five pit bulls
Linda’s injuries were so severe that emergency protocols were activated, and a helicopter was dispatched to transport her to the Netcare Alberton Hospital.
LINDA’S RIGHT ARM HAD TO BE AMPUTATED NEAR HER SHOULDER
In an effort to save her life, Linda was placed in an induced coma, and her right arm had to be amputated near her shoulder.
She also sustained grave injuries to her left arm and both legs.
Meanwhile, Breyden was admitted to the Netcare Linmed Hospital in Benoni, where he is recuperating from injuries to his face, arm, leg, and buttock. He is said to be recovering well.
BOTH MOTHER AND SON ARE STILL IN HOSPITAL RECOVERING
Linda’s husband, Marius, now faces the heart-wrenching task of commuting between two hospitals daily to be with his wife and son during this challenging time.
Tragically, Zeus, who was once a cherished member of the family, displayed continued aggressive behavior even when inspectors from the Animal Protection Association (DPA) arrived. In the face of this danger, the decision was made to euthanize him.
To ease the financial burden on the Venter family, a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy has been launched.
THE DECISION WAS MADE TO EUTHANIZE ZEUS
The campaign aims to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, prostheses, and the anticipated loss of income for Linda.
Stoneman concluded, “People’s support will help the family cover further medical expenses, rehabilitation, and prostheses, as well as the foreseeable loss of income for Linda.”
ALSO READ: South Africans continue to spend more on restaurants – Stats SA