Kimberly Crawford has reacted to the GCN\u2019s article on the attack and death of the Laerskool Oosterkruin groundskeeper (see GCN, January 9)<\/p>\n
The man was viciously attacked and killed by three pitbulls, while standing on the pavement in Weert Road.<\/p>
He, along with one of the pitbulls died on the scene, while the other two dogs were seized by the Germiston SPCA.<\/p>\n
Crawford told the GCN what she saw happen to the third pitbull, “Roxy”, a female that was shot by an off-duty police officer.<\/p>
Crawford noted that reports from the Primrose police suggest that the dog had been shot directly as it attacked the off-duty officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was, however, not the case. She was shot outside number 13 Emden Road,\u201d Crawford explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe had been caught by her paw with a rope, by the officer and another man.<\/p>\n
”At this point she had calmed down and was not attacking anyone; in fact, she was hiding under my neighbour’s car and they had to catch her and pull her out from under it.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce they had secured her, so she could not get away, the officer proceeded to shoot her. Not once, but four times.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was definitely not dead after the first shot, as my family and I could hear her crying. After the second shot I am not sure.<\/p>\n
\u201cPersonally, I was very upset by this as we were given no warning of what was coming and we were still in our front yard.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, as a huge animal lover, this was not how I wanted to see any dog die.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, as did probably everyone else, that the dogs were going to be put down because of what they had done, but she could have been collected by the SPCA, who were only one block away, in Weert Road, as reported, and she could have been put down like the other two – humanely.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be clear: I am not detracting from the death in any way and my deepest sympathies go to his family. No one should ever have to die like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The GCN has approached the Primrose police with this account of events and asked them to comment, but, at the time of going to press, no response had been received.<\/p>\n