The pit bull, that ripped off a mentally disabled boy’s ear last week, has been taken away by Law Enforcement on Friday.
The City says the dog has been handed over to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA until the matter is resolved.
And while the mother of the boy is relieved that the “dangerous” dog has been removed, Sheeba’s owner has been left heartbroken.
Annemarie Coetzee, whose 17-year-old son’s ear was bitten off, says her intentions to have the dog removed was only pure.
“I just wanted people to feel safe again. My boy is in a lot of pain, but his ear is healing nicely. The owner needs to take responsibility for this and for the dog to be in a safe place right now is a good thing,” she says.
The Ruyterwacht mom had been walking home with her sons down Jan van Riebeeck Avenue when her son, who she says has the mental capacity of a four-year-old, clapped his hands and started playing with a little boy in front of his gate.
She says the dog came charging out of the yard and attacked her son, ripping off his ear. Emergency surgery was performed on the teen to reattach his ear.
However, Sheeba’s owner, Nazeem Moyce, insists his pet is not a threat and that Sheeba had responded as the teen had made his son skrik when he clapped his hands and shouted “ba!”
“Sheeba thought her brother (his son) was in danger. That is what she responded to,” says Moyce.
“It is really heartbreaking that they have taken her away from us.
“Sheeba is seven years old and has always been a part of this family. I am saddened and so are my neighbours. She is not violent at all.
“As I said before, I am not going to let her go without a fight.”
Law Enforcement spokesman, Wayne Dyason, said the dog was collected on Friday following a preliminary investigation.
“On Friday the dog was impounded by Law Enforcement officers and is being cared for by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA until the matter is resolved,” he said.
Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson, Belinda Abraham, reassured Moyce his dog was in good hands.
“This is common practice when charges are brought against a pet owner. The SPCA will take very good care of the dog until Law Enforcement complete their investigation and issue an outcomes notice,” she said.