A NINE-YEAR-OLD Beitbridge child yesterday died from injuries sustained after being attacked by two vicious Boerboel dogs while coming back from school.

By Own Correspondent

Nyasha Zaina was pronounced dead at around 10am yesterday after staff at Beitbridge District Hospital battled to save her following the attack at around 4pm on Wednesday.

She was mauled all over her body, sutured on her head, thighs, backside and almost every limb. Medical staff said she lost a lot of blood.

The Boerboel, also known as the South African Mastiff, is a large, Molosser-type breed bred for the purpose of guarding homesteads. Bred as working farm dogs, Boerboels are some of the most powerful dog breeds in the world.

Officer Commanding Beitbridge Police Chief Superintendent Francis Phiri and his entire command staff attended the scene and arrested the owner of the dogs, one Mushonga, who is likely to face culpable homicide charges.

Later, Phiri led his team in paying condolences to the family of the deceased.

Beitbridge veterinary doctor Mike Nare said the two dogs were later put down.

The dogs only left the unconscious Nyasha after a motorist drove towards the scene.

A witness, Hope Mphisa, said the dogs attacked Nyasha about 70 metres from where they were kept.

“She was walking alone from school and the big dogs sprang towards her and gave her no chance,” Mphisa said.

The same dogs last week allegedly killed a dog belonging to Nyasha’s family when they were left to roam. A nurse at Beitbridge Hospital said there was an increase in dog bite cases in Beitbridge.

Meanwhile, a Budiriro woman was yesterday attacked and killed by a crocodile, while crossing a stream in search of firewood.

Tsitsi Jambaya (43) was in the company of a neighbour who rushed to inform her neighbours about the incident.

The deceased’s body was recovered from the scene of the attack.

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the development.

“Our rangers are in the area now looking for the reptile. It has to be killed because it is now very dangerous to the community,” Farawo said.

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