Within a span of three months 12 pet cats have been attacked and killed by two free-roaming dogs in Viking Village, sending locals into a frenzy.
Christina Cocolaras lost her beloved cat in the early morning of 23 March after a vicious attack by the aggressive dogs.
“The sight of my pet’s final moments, filled with fear and suffering, has left me deeply distraught,” she said.
Cocolaras also took to social media to raise awareness several more community members came forward sharing their grief and concern, after similar accounts of pet attacks and fatalities.
“It has become evident that these incidents are not isolated occurrences,” she said, “but rather part of a disturbing pattern of behaviour exhibited by the same dogs. Numerous attacks have been documented across our neighbourhood and adjacent areas, with residents reporting incidents dating back to January this year.”
Thanks to feedback from the community, a list of known attacks and locations could be drawn up as follows:
The first known attack was in Olympus Drive on 29 January, followed by two more in Norsemen Crescent on 3 and 10 February. On 12 February two attacks were reported in Camden and Butia Street, and another three in Sita and Shackleton Crescent a few days later.
Between 20 February and 24 March six more attacks were recorded in the surrounding areas, which include Zonnendal and Peerless Park North.
Leanna Knap lost two pet cats, one in January and the other last Sunday. She urged other pet owners to keep their cats or small dogs indoors, especially at night.
area a hunting ground
According to Knapp the dogs responsible for the attacks are dark in colour and the size of Rottweilers.
“They are relentlessly hunting down our fur children in the area. I need to warn residents to keep their cats indoors, especially at night. She has now started patrolling the area to locate the dogs.
“The owners of the dogs have not come forward yet, and it could be that the dogs are without a home.”
According to Cocolaras the predatory behaviour of the dogs is characterised by stealth and swiftness, which underscores the urgent need for action.
“These dogs are brazenly using our area as their hunting ground, targeting not only pets, but potentially posing a grave threat to the safety of our children and elderly residents.”
The SPCA has been contacted, but has advised residents that they require a location before they can intervene.
“To date we have not been able to do this. Its possibly street dogs,” said Knapp. “We are desperate and the killing needs to be stopped before dogs turn on humans trying to save their cats or turn their attack on children.”
The women appeal to other residents to remain vigilant and for any other pet owners who have fallen victim to these attacks to come forward and report the incidents to the Kraaifontein Police Station and to them.
“We need sightings of where the dogs were spotted and photos if possible. Cooperation is essential in compelling the authorities to take decisive action.”
To report attacks or sigthings contact Christina on 076 175 4526 or Leana on 081 456 0913.
