Domestic saves pup from attack
2007-09-11 09:30
Roodepoort - A Florida domestic worker put herself on the line on Monday morning to protect her employer's Jack Russell puppy from a vicious attack by three other dogs.
Nice Beka, 48, asked herself one question: "What if it was my child?"
Beka was taking Roxy - owned by Fred Rademeyer and his wife Susan - for her daily walk when three big dogs broke through a gate.
Rademeyer told Talk Radio 702 on Monday that the gate had been secured with a coat-hanger.
Beka said Roxy "was like my baby". She was walking down 8th Avenue when all the dogs in the road began to bark. "I always walk down that road, and never thought those dogs would one day push the gate open."
Three dogs - among them a Bull Terrier and Rottweiler - went wild and gave chase after escaping from behind the gates.
A rattled Beka at first grabbed at Roxy, who was wearing a collar, and clutched the dog tightly to her chest, before falling to the ground and lying on top of the dog.
Dogs 'would not let up'
The dogs bit Beka on her right thumb, wrist, left forearm and face to get at the Jack Russell. The dogs "would not let up" and eventually did get hold of Roxy, mauling the four-month-old bitch.
Beka managed to phone Rademeyer, his daughter Vicky, 25, and her son Tshepo, 20, on her cellphone.
Rademeyer took Beka to the Flora Clinic, where she received five injections and her wounds were stitched before she was discharged.
Rademeyer then took Roxy to the veterinary hospital in Roodepoort, where she was admitted and is in a stable condition.
X-rays will be taken on Tuesday, to determine the extent of the dog's injuries.
Beka opened a case of assault at Florida police station. "Until today (Monday) I was never afraid of dogs, now I am. If I see anything move, I think it's a dog," said Beka.