Dubai: While Dulanee Pereira’s leg, arm, and neck wounds have healed after being attacked by two stray dogs twice on the same day in late August, she said she’s not taking any chances when walking her own dog Peaches outside her building every day.
She has since been carrying a stick for fear of being attacked again.
“I walk Peaches three times a day. And I have been carrying a stick as a precautionary measure, that was the advice given by the veterinarian who checked on my wounds after the attack,” Pereira said.
Pereira was walking at around 6am near Al Nahda Park in Sharjah when two stray dogs attacked her and bit her hand and knee. She was knocked off her feet because of the force of the attack and landed on the sand.
On her way back from the hospital after receiving treatment to her wounds, six hours later, the same dogs that had attacked her in the morning turned up and attacked her again.
This time, one dog managed to attack Peaches whose hind leg was broken in two places. For weeks, Peaches walked on three feet.
Pereira said dogs are not the only strays she has spotted in her community. At night, plenty of stray cats can be seen near cafeterias waiting for scraps.
The situation needs to be addressed before another stray animal attack happens. The next victim could be any pedestrian walking on the street, or children playing in the park, Pereira said.
Pereira also reminded pet owners that taking pets is a lifetime commitment.
“If you take any animal as a pet, be responsible and take care of the pet until the end,” she said.
People should also report stray animals when they see them.
“It is the citizens’ responsibility to inform authorities and the police if they spot strays. It is also their responsibility to support authorities in catching these strays,” she added.
To make sure that people learn their lesson, Pereira said violators of the animal welfare law should be fined so they can be aware of the need to stop animal cruelty.
