RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Residents of Hillpiece in Phillippine, San Fernando, say they are living in fear after two pit bulls viciously attacked an elderly man last Friday evening, leaving him with severe injuries and the loss of use of one of his hands.
The victim, Ramraj Dookhantie, 78, told Guardian Media the dogs knocked him to the ground and repeatedly bit him while he fought desperately to protect his throat during the terrifying attack.
Dookhantie, who lives along Philippine Road, said the incident occurred around 5.45 pm as he was walking to the junction to get a taxi to San Fernando.
“I had my car in the garage, so I was going to pick it up,” he recalled.
“Before I reached the junction, the neighbour’s gate was open, and the two dogs rushed out and attacked me.”
He said the dogs knocked him to the ground and began biting him repeatedly.
“They threw me on the ground and started biting me. One of them was coming for my throat,” he said.
Dookhantie said he was forced to use his hands to shield his neck, resulting in deep injuries to both arms.
“The whole right hand was bite up because I had to keep the dog away from my throat,” he said.
Two men who were nearby rushed to help. One attempted to beat the dogs away with a stone while another used a fire extinguisher to spray them, eventually forcing the animals to release their grip.
The badly injured man was later taken to the San Fernando General Hospital by ambulance.
He said doctors inserted more than 50 stitches in his hands and arms.
“I can’t use my hands. I can’t even make breakfast or boil a cup of water,” he said.
Dookhantie said the owners of the dogs—believed to be a police officer and a firefighter—have not contacted him or offered any form of assistance since the incident.
“Up to today they never come to see if I dead or alive,” he said.
Residents alleged the dogs have attacked others in the community before and are frequently allowed to roam freely, with the front gate being left open.
Another villager, Alexis Lakatoo, said he was also attacked some time last year. He said he was forced to use his stick to ward off the dogs before jumping into his car. Lakatoo said people sometimes refuse to walk past the house where the animals are kept and instead ask taxis to drop them directly at their homes.
“Children have to walk out to get taxis for school, and people have to go to work. Everybody is frightened of those dogs,” Lakatoo said.
Dookhantie said a police report was made, but he alleges that the dog owners have been avoiding authorities.
“The police told me they were looking for them and can’t find them,” he said.
He is now calling on Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro and other relevant authorities to intervene before someone else is seriously injured.
“These dogs are very dangerous for the whole community. Something must be done before they kill somebody.”
When Guardian Media visited the home where the dogs are kept, no one was present, and there was no sign of the animals.
Under Trinidad and Tobago’s Dangerous Dogs Act, owners of Class A dogs such as pit bulls face strict penalties if the animals are not properly controlled. Failing to license or insure a dangerous dog can result in a fine of up to $50,000 and one year in prison, while causing injury through negligence carries a penalty of up to $100,000 and five years’ imprisonment. If a dangerous dog kills someone, the owner can face fines of up to $200,000 and up to 10 years in prison. The illegal importation of a dangerous dog also carries a penalty of $100,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment.
