A Grassy Park couple is lucky to be alive after a knife-wielding suspect entered their home, stabbing and wounding the homeowner on Friday 8 March.
Protecting her owner, Angel the pitbull intervened scaring the suspect away but tragically paid the price with a knife embedded in her head.
“If Angel had not intervened, the homeowners may not be alive today,” says Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham. Angel leapt to the defence of the already wounded Mrs Joseph in their home, in a desperate bid to protect her from further harm.
“She (the pitbull) was gravely wounded in the attack which only came to a stop when Mr Joseph entered the room and the attacker, disarmed of his knife which was lodged in Angel’s head, fled the scene.”
According to the SPCA, the wounds to Angel’s neck and head were so severe that the pitbull had to be euthanised.
“We shudder to think of how events may have played out that morning had Angel, in the face of horrific injury, not shown incredible courage and loyalty to her family regardless of the cost to her,” she said.
“Admitted to our animal hospital panting heavily and in terrible pain, Angel received immediate medical attention including the administration of IV fluids and pain control to allow our veterinary team time to assess the extent of her wounds.”
According to the SPCA, the suspect is wanted in a separate violent incident.
“Shockingly, the attack on Angel’s owner was not an isolated incident. The same knife wielded by the same perpetrator had allegedly taken the life of a man in a separate, earlier act of violence.”
People’s Post reached out to Grassy Park police for comment but is yet to receive feedback.
In the interim, the SPCA is compiling a docket for a case against the suspect.
“We have begun compiling a case docket and a post mortem on Angel’s remains has been conducted by a qualified veterinary pathologist whose services were outsourced for this purpose.
“The suspect, currently evading authorities, faces charges under the Animals Protection Act, alongside additional charges for his other violent crimes.”
Combating animal cruelty is crucial in fostering safer communities, she added.
“When people treat animals well, it’s not only good for us and the animals, it’s good for fostering of compassion. It’s too late for this victim though. All that’s left is for our inspectorate to seek justice for her.”
