Hillview residents are in shock after witnessing two rottweilers mauling a six-year-old boy to death on Monday night.
The heartbroken family of little Yuriel Gabriel Ockhuis say they are traumatised after seeing the boy’s flesh “being ripped from his head” before he was rushed to Retreat Day Hospital.
Sister Remondia, 27, says Yuriel was at the shop with his friends and the dogs broke free from their owner’s yard shortly before 7 pm.
“We don’t know how the dogs came loose, but they told us the dog wanted Yuriel’s bubblegum and jumped at him and bit him in the neck and then the other dog also jumped on him ,” says Remondia.
“My brother, Morne, 28, ran but the dog grabbed Yuriel by his head and was swinging him in the air.
VIOLENT DEATH: Yuriel Ockhuis, 6
“The neighbours were upset and they took Yuriel to hospital, but he died on the way there. We are so sad because he was supposed to start school next year.”
The incident sparked anger among residents who pelted the house of the dogs’ owner, Jonathan January, with stones.
January’s son, Leonard, 24, says he was alone at home at the time of the incident.
“I just came from work and heard a commotion, when I looked I did not realise it was my dog, Storm. I saw the child and the dogs and tried to see what happened, but the people started throwing stones and attacked me,” Leonard says.
Jonathan says they later discovered that a padlock on the sidegate was cut open.
“But nobody saw what happened or how it was cut. We went to Yuriel’s parents and we are very heartbroken because we know him and his family,” he says.
GRIEVING: Morne Ockhuis. Photo: ANA
“I have had the two Rottweilers, Storm and Brolocks, since they were babies. But a child’s life is more important to me, so the SPCA came to fetch the dogs and I said they can put them down.
“But they don’t normally get out and they were not aggressive.”
SPCA spokeswoman, Belinda Abraham, confirms the dogs were put down.
“We are shocked and saddened at this incident in which a child has died allegedly in the jaws of man’s best friend. Ownership of all dogs comes with a great deal of responsibility.”
Captain FC van Wyk says police have opened an inquest docket and anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Milicent Teichardt on 082 411 2455.