Outrage after teen is savagely mauled to death by pit bulls

A 13-year old boy has been mauled to death by two vicious pit bulls in Otjomuise, sparking anger in the community. An eyewitness said Fred Savage was attacked while he walked past the house where the pit bulls live on Saturday afternoon. “Ai, Ai, it is a sad story they were biting him a lot,” said one of the neighbours Florina Kamuro. According to her, two other children ran away while Savage was attacked. “People were afraid, so they were just standing around because the dogs bit those who intervened, but later one man came and shot one dog,” said Kamuro. According to Obert Mutabani he fired the first shots at the dogs and broke one’s front legs. “Those dogs were highly dangerous, it’s a very sad scene,” he said on Facebook. According to Mutabani, whose house is about 20 metres away from the scene, he initially arrived unarmed after hearing people screaming. “There were other victims who were rushed to hospital for trying to help the kid. That’s when I rushed back to get my gun and car. I was shooting in an awkward position. People were around and were afraid the bullet could hit the child, but I managed to chase the dogs and stop them from tearing the body apart,” said Mutabani. Police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi confirmed the incident and said the parents identified the body yesterday morning. “The two dogs were put down by the City Police. I understand the owner is in Rundu. We are still looking for him,” said Kanguatjivi. He also said the owner may be charged with culpable homicide if any negligence can be proven. Savage was a Grade 5 pupil at Aris Primary School south of Windhoek. More deaths Meanwhile, there were six other killings reported over the weekend, including a murder-suicide and a member of NDF who was burnt to ashes in the shack where he was sleeping. The 48-year-old soldier, identified as Sergeant Shilongo Junias Tautilange burned to death in the Ileni informal settlement at Keetmanshoop in the //Karas Region. The murder-suicide occurred at around 11:40 yesterday morning at Skorpion Village in Rosh Pinah. Matheus Shapaka Ileka shot and killed his girlfriend Miriam Shiyakila and then turned the gun on himself. In another incident on Saturday, the body of a 30-year-old man was found behind shacks in the Havana informal settlement on the outskirts of Windhoek. According to Kanguatjivi, the body had a bullet wound in the chest. In another murder case, 32-year-old Timotheus Kauna was beaten to death with a brick by a 19-year old suspect at Vilakazi Bar in Walvis Bay. The alleged murderer was arrested at the hospital, where he sought medical care for the injuries he sustained. Police are also investigating the death of the 60-year-old Petrus Johannes, who left the shack he shared with his girlfriend to urinate but never returned. “It is alleged that the deceased was together with his girlfriend and visited bars on Friday night. They later went to his girlfriend’s place to sleep,” said Kanguatjivi. He added it appears as if the victim just collapsed and died. Police are also investigating a vicious attack on an elderly couple in Lüderitz. According to the police, the couple were overwhelmed by their attackers who robbed them of N$80 000, a hunting rifle, pistols and ammunition. The daughter of the elderly man, who has been identified as 70-year-old Willem Burger who owned the OK Grocers at the town, has since promised N$20 000 for any information about the attack. The suspects are still on the run. WINDHOEK JEMIMA BEUKES