Yesterday, 11 January 2012, a two year-old child from Bridgetown who was at Clifton First Beach with her aunt was bitten by a Rottweiler that was being walked by its owner, in contravention of the rules governing beach usage. The child sustained injuries to her left calf.

City of Cape Town Law Enforcement Officers who were conducting foot patrols in the area at the time of the incident assisted the child. An off-duty doctor was also on the beach and provided medical assistance. The child was transported by an ambulance to the Cape Town Medi-Clinic in Gardens where she is being treated.

The rottweiler was being walked by its owner along the shoreline, just before noon, when it bit the child. The signage on Clifton First Beach (which is present at all formal access-ways to the beach) states that no dogs are allowed on the beach from 09:00 to 18:00 from 1 November to 30 April. People who would like to walk their dogs are permitted to do so with the dog on a leash from 18:00 – 09:00 from 1 November – 30 April and at any time from 1 May – 31 October.

The owner of the dog therefore contravened the law by bringing the dog onto the beach during a time period that was not permitted. The City has taken firm action against the dog’s owner, and has fined him R1 500,00. City Law Enforcement Officers are assisting the child’s aunt in laying a formal charge against the owner of the dog with the South African Police Services. The dog was impounded.

“The City appreciates residents’ desire to walk their pets on beaches, but this practice must be regulated in order to ensure the safety of all residents and a fair environment for all to use the City’s beaches and public open spaces. Residents are reminded to obey the signage on beaches at all times. Dogs should only be walked in demarcated areas, during the specified times, and preferably when the beach is quiet. In this way, the City tries to balance the interests of all residents,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Councillor Tandeka Gqada.