Greenwood Park assistant teacher critically injured in dog attack - IOL

A 39-year-old assistant teacher suffered severe head injuries after allegedly being attacked by a dog on Isom Road, Greenwood Park, while walking to work.

A 39-year-old assistant teacher suffered severe head injuries after allegedly being attacked by a dog on Isom Road, Greenwood Park, while walking to work.

Zamokuhle Luthuli was heading to Braiden Primary School when a dog allegedly escaped from a nearby property and attacked her, leaving her critically injured.

The dog which allegedly attacked the woman.

Garreth Naidoo from KZN VIP Emergency Medical Services said the emergency team was alerted after a man from Nettow Towing Service heard Luthuli screaming for help and went to investigate.

“We discovered that the woman was being attacked by a dog and had left her with severe injuries. She was stabilised in a critical condition and transported to a nearby medical facility for urgent further medical care,” said Naidoo.

Luthuli’s boyfriend, Siduzo Mathenjwa, 39, from KwaMashu, said she was on her way to the school to attend to work-related duties despite schools being closed.

“It was early in the morning and she was almost there when a dog from the area escaped its yard and started attacking her,” he said.

Mathenjwa said Luthuli was overpowered by the dog, which attacked her head as she screamed for help.

“She was screaming for help, the dog even ripped the hair off her skull. She suffered extremely bad head injuries. Luckily someone heard her screaming and they assisted in restraining the dog and controlling the situation,” he said.

Luthuli was initially rushed to Addington Hospital before being transferred to Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, where she was expected to undergo surgery for her head injuries on Thursday morning.

Mathenjwa said he was shocked when he received the news of the attack, adding that the incident had left his girlfriend traumatised.

“When I was called and told what happened, I was shocked. Our three children attend the same school and luckily they were at home that day since it is a holiday,” he said.

He said Luthuli had always been afraid of dogs, and the attack had worsened her fear.

“She is extremely traumatised, she has always been afraid of dogs and now it is worse. When I spoke to her, she was only crying, she does not know how she will ever go back there,” he said.

Mathenjwa said he attempted to approach the dog's owners after Luthuli had been admitted to hospital, but he could not find anyone at the property.

“After she was settled in the hospital, I decided to go to the owners of the dog but the house was locked up and I could not see where the dog was. Up until now, they did not contact us or even ask how she is doing, we do not even know their names,” he said.

He expressed concern about the responsibility of dog owners to ensure their animals remain on their properties and do not pose a danger to members of the public.

“Dogs should remain on your property and not harm innocent people just walking on the road. I am devastated seeing her in so much pain, she is in a bad condition,” he said.

Mathenjwa said the incident had also taken an emotional toll on their four children, who have been struggling to understand what happened to their mother.

“Our children have been crying every day for her and I do not know how to explain to them what happened. We just want her to get better and receive justice for what has happened to her. No-one deserves to be attacked by a dog whose owners do not keep them in their yard,” he said.

The family is now hoping for Luthuli's recovery as she receives further medical treatment for her injuries.