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A dog will have one of his forelegs amputated after it was allegedly shot by a Lwandle police officer.
The horrific incident occurred at a residence in Zola on Monday 5 November.
It is believe three officers stationed at Lwandle police arrived at the house and were confronted by the barking dog, Tiger. The officers were looking for someone named David.
Although one of the residents of the house is named David Kalumo, the police were looking for another man with the same name, explained homeowner Dephine Kalumo. She is the mother of David.
The 39-year-old recalled two of the officers, a man and a woman, entering the house followed by the policeman who allegedly shot the dog. Tiger came from the backyard and several shots were fired.
This has left the Kalumo family traumatised, while Tiger is recovering at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA in Grassy Park.
“I had never witnessed live ammunition being fired before,” Kalumo said.
“I’ve only seen it on TV. I could not believe what was happening and I shouted at the police officer to stop shooting, as Tiger would not bite him.
“The female police officer told me to calm down and said Tiger was a violent dog. But he is well trained and listens when we speak.”
The mother of three said the dog is not allowed outside their property and they had trained Tiger when he was a puppy.
Two of her children, Prosper (15) and Shalom (10), had to receive counselling after the incident.
“Shalom was standing outside at the time,” Kalumo said, “ and she could easily have been hurt. She hasn’t been herself since.”
Prosper, the dog’s master, was walking down the street to a nearby stall when he heard gunshots ring out.
He initially thought it was firecrackers but was soon alerted to the incident at his home.
“When I arrived home I saw my dog bleeding,” he recalled. “It hurt me to see him in so much pain, knowing I could not help him. I wanted to take the bullets out myself, but I was stopped as this could have negatively affected the dog.” Prosper got the dog when it was only three weeks old.
“We have come a long way with Tiger. When he was sick I thought he may not make it, but after taking him to the Animal Welfare Society Helderberg in Gordon’s Bay for help and he survived.
“Tiger was also stolen and found after three months.”
City Vision sent a detailed enquiry to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on the injuries sustained and Tiger’s current state. However, no response was forthcoming at the time of going to print.
Kalumo, a devout Christian, has forgiven the police officer who pulled the trigger.
“I can’t hold a grudge against him,” she said. “I just feel sorry for the dog that had to go through this ordeal. We love our dog and had taken care for it for 20 months.”
Prosper is concerned he will no longer do the things he used to with Tiger, such as taking him for a walk, and realises his beloved pet will now have to learn to walk on three legs.
Sergeant Mthokozisi Gama, spokesperson for Lwandle police, confirmed the dog had been shot by a police officer. However, his version of events differed from that of the Kalumo family.
Gama said the police officers had just arrived at the home when the dog charged at them.
“Two of the officers ran inside the house while the other was still outside,” he said.
“The officer fired two warning shots on the ground as the dog was charging him.
“As the dog was coming to attack him, the officer shot at the dog.”
Gama further said the matter was being investigated by animal welfare, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was notified of the incident.
