Grahamstown cyclists and joggers have expressed concern about dogs that are walked in public unleashed in the wake of an incident in which a cyclist was bitten earlier this month.
Grahamstown cyclists and joggers have expressed concern about dogs that are walked in public unleashed in the wake of an incident in which a cyclist was bitten earlier this month.
Paddy Fischer was attacked by a rigdeback while cycling Sunday 5 October at the hill near the SPCA. He said a man was running with two dogs that were not leashed. When he rode towards them, the dogs ran after him and one of them grabbed his leg.
Cyclists have said this is an ongoing problem, and they are not the only people complaining about dogs that are not leashed.
Fischer's brother, Jay Fischer, has also been attacked by dogs while jogging.
Although Paddy was not badly bitten and the owners said the dogs were up to date with all their vaccinations, other trail runners or cyclists could be seriously injured by dogs that have not been vaccinated. After the incident, Jay Fischer posted a picture on a local cycling Facebook page. Many cyclists expressed concern and posted similar incidents that happened to them while on a run or cycling.
The SPCA told Grocott's Mail on Tuesday 14 October that their main focus is injured animals, but that dog owners should know that they must keep their dogs on a leash when they take them out for a run in public places.
They said earlier this month that there are laws about dogs in public places like parks and referred us to Makana Parks and Recreation.
"People know that they are not allowed to walk their dogs in public areas without putting them on a leash," Kevin Bates from Parks and Recreation told Grocott's.
